A hemodialysis split-tip catheter comprises an elongated portion, a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis. The proximal end attaches to a hub with suture wings assembly, which in turn connected to extension tubings. The distal end has two distal tip segments splitted from each other. The first distal tip segment has a concave shape with respect to the longitudinal axis and the second distal tip segment has an approximately J-shape with respect to first distal tip segment. Diameter of concave shape of first distal tip segment is larger than diameter of J-shape of second distal tip segment to facilitate backward bend of second distal tip segment with respect to first distal tip segment after a catheter insertion inside a blood vessel to face a blood flow direction.

A hemodialysis curved split-tip catheter comprises an elongated portion, a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis. The proximal end attaches to a hub with suture wings assembly, which in turn connected to extension tubings. The distal end has two distal tip segments splitted from each other. The distal tip segments bend longitudinally inward toward a centerline of a blood vessel. First distal tip segment has a smaller angle, with respect to the axis extended from the dividing point longitudinally parallel to a centerline axis of a blood vessel, compare to second distal tip segment. This configuration to make the distal end of the catheter to be located not at the centerline axis of a blood vessel.

An intravascular catheter may include a distal end for insertion and a proximal end. The distal end for insertion may terminate with a tip. It may define at least two openings, of which one is the proximal-most in the distal end. The distal tip may include a first radiopaque marker that is discretely positioned at the proximal-most opening and radiographically distinguishes the proximal-most opening from the rest of the distal end. The distal tip may also include a second radiopaque marker that marks the tip.

A persistent perfusion sheath assembly can be used for the passage of an intravascular medical device while maintain a flow passage in the vessel. The sheath assembly passes through an arteriotomy and can include a first lumen configured for the passage of a medical device, a second lumen configured to allow a flow of fluid from a location in the blood vessel upstream of the arteriotomy to a location downstream of the arteriotomy. The sheath assembly can further include a stylet, a sleeve or an additional sheath configured to selectively open and close the flow of blood between upstream and downstream of the arteriotomy. The sheath assembly can further include a closure device distal of the arteriotomy, the closure device configured to control blood flow through the arteriotomy.

A catheter is provided with a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a plurality of drainage eyes disposed at a junction between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The distal portion includes a tip, a plurality of elongated ribs, and a plurality of external flow paths. The proximal portion includes an internal lumen and a proximal end. The plurality of drainage eyes communicate with the plurality of external flow paths and the internal lumen.

A catheter is provided including a first lumen and a second lumen. A first member is disposed for relative movement within the first lumen and defines a cavity. A second member is disposed for relative movement within the second lumen. The cavity of the first member is configured for disposal of the second member. The catheter may include an elongated tubular body that includes the first lumen and the second lumen. The first member may have a distal portion that extends beyond the distal end of the body. The distal portion may include the cavity. The cavity may be defined by a member lumen. The first and second members may include tubular stylettes. The second member may include a guidewire.

A catheter insertable into a patient for monitoring pressure having an expandable outer balloon. An expandable inner balloon is positioned within the lumen of the catheter and has having a second outer wall and forms a gas chamber to monitor pressure within the patient. In response to pressure exerted on the outer wall of the outer balloon, fluid within the outer balloon enters an opening in the wall of the catheter lumen to exert a pressure on the outer wall of the expanded inner balloon to deform the inner balloon and compress the gas within the inner balloon. A pressure sensor communicates with the gas containing chamber for measuring pressure based on compression of gas caused by deformation of the expanded inner balloon resulting from deformation of the expanded outer balloon.

Catheters are described that have improved flow characteristics that may be particularly helpful when delivering embolic agents within a blood vessel. One catheter includes a fluid flow modifier that is configured to create laminar fluid flow out of a distal end of the catheter to help reduce turbulence and achieve predictable fluid movement. Another catheter includes scavenging ports that are configured to suction in embolic agents that have refluxed proximally back from a distal end of the catheter.

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve shunting fluid, e.g., shunting cerebrospinal fluid in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Self-cleaning catheters are provided which include split tips configured such that pulsatile flow of fluid in a cavity in which the catheter is inserted can cause the tips to strike one another and thereby clear obstructions. Catheters with built-in flow indicators are also provided. Exemplary flow indicators include projections that extend radially inward from the interior surface of the catheter and which include imageable portions (e.g., portions which are visible under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)). Movement of the flow indicators caused by fluid flowing through the catheter can be detected using MRI, thereby providing a reliable indication as to whether the catheter is partially or completely blocked. Systems and methods for flushing a shunt system are also disclosed herein, as are various systems and methods for opening auxiliary fluid pathways through a shunt system.

A catheter assembly for use in accessing a vasculature of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly includes a catheter body that includes a flattened oval outer surface and defines first and second lumens. The catheter body defines a distal tip region that includes a venous lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the first lumen and includes a distal-facing portion. The distal tip region further includes an arterial lateral opening that is in fluid communication with the second lumen, includes a distal-facing portion, and is substantially un-staggered with respect to the venous lateral opening. A distal end opening is in fluid communication with a power injectable third lumen. In another embodiment, the first and second lumens each generally include a reniform cross-sectional shape. In yet another embodiment, a dual-lumen catheter includes first and second lumens that each define a modified ellipse cross-sectional shape.