Multi-lumen ventricular drainage catheter

Abstract

A shunt includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow control mechanism disposed within the housing. A ventricular catheter is connected to the inlet of the housing. The catheter has a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen of the catheter includes at least two lumens at the distal end and has only one lumen at the proximal end. The catheter has one slit and aperture corresponding to each of the at least two lumens located at the distal end of the catheter.

Claims

1. A method of removing an obstruction from within an inner lumen of a ventricular catheter of a shunt system when the ventricular catheter is implanted in a brain, the ventricular catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and the inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the catheter being comprised of at least two lumens at the distal end and being comprised of only one lumen at the proximal end, the catheter having an aperture adjacent to the distal end corresponding to each of the at least two lumens; wherein each aperture has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit only at the proximal end of the aperture, the method comprising the steps of: accessing the ventricular catheter; and moving the ventricular catheter in the proximal direction such that the obstruction is removed from the ventricular catheter inner lumen at the enlarged opening at the distal end.

2. A method of removing an obstruction from within an inner lumen of a ventricular catheter of a shunt system when the ventricular catheter is implanted in a brain, the ventricular catheter having a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and the inner lumen extending therethrough, the inner lumen of the catheter having an aperture that has an enlarged opening at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit only at the proximal end of the aperture, the method comprising the steps of: accessing the ventricular catheter; and moving the ventricular catheter in the proximal direction such that the obstruction is removed from the ventricular catheter inner lumen at the enlarged opening at the distal end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the shunt and ventricular catheter according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the interior of the ventricular catheter according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(5) FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4A-4A of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial top view of a prior art ventricular catheter;

(8) FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

(9) FIG. 8A is a partial top view of the ventricular catheter according to the present invention; and

(10) FIG. 8B is a partial top view of the ventricular catheter according to the present invention.

(11) FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the interior of the ventricular catheter according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(12) Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, 8A, 8B and 9 a shunt 10 and a ventricular catheter 12 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.

(13) As illustrated in FIG. 1, shunt 10 has a housing 14, which has an inlet 16, an outlet 18 and a flow control mechanism disposed therein. Ventricular catheter 12 is connected to inlet 16 of the housing. Catheter 12 has a longitudinal length, a proximal end 20, a distal end 22, and an inner lumen 24 extending therethrough. Inner lumen 24 is a single lumen at proximal end 20 of the catheter and is comprised of two or more lumens 24.sup.1, 24.sup.11, 24.sup.111, 24.sup.1111, etc. at the distal end 22 of catheter 12. Catheter 12 is preferably made of silicone. In addition, catheter 12 can be impregnated with antimicrobial antibiotics, such as the CODMAN BACTISEAL catheter, which is commercially sold by Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. of Raynham, Mass.

(14) Ventricular catheter 12 has only one aperture 26 at distal end 22 of catheter 12 corresponding to each of the lumens 24.sup.1, 24.sup.111, 24.sup.1111, etc. There are preferably between 2 and 7 lumens, with only three and four lumens being shown in the drawing Figures for the sake of brevity. Of course, one skilled in the art would readily know how to make the ventricular catheter of the present invention with multiple lumens based on the present disclosure. Each tapering slit 30 receives cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) when in use. Each aperture 26 has an enlarged opening 28 at the distal end and transitions from the enlarged opening to a tapering slit 30 at the proximal end of the aperture. In some examples of the present invention, for each aperture 26, a portion 32 between the enlarged opening 28 and the tapering slit 30 is a slit 32 of constant thickness. Likewise, in other examples of the present invention, for each aperture 26, there may be no portion 32 between the enlarged opening 28 and the tapering slit 30. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9, for each aperture 26, a slit 42 of constant thickness can be disposed between the enlarged opening 28 and the proximal end of the aperture with no tapering slit being utilized. The entire aperture, from the enlarged opening 28 to the proximal end of tapering slit 30 is in fluid communication with its respective lumen 24.sup.1, 24.sup.111, 24.sup.1111, etc. The enlarged opening 28 of each aperture has a smooth concave inner surface 34, similar to a spoon shape.

(15) The use of multiple lumens 24.sup.1, 24.sup.111, 24.sup.1111, etc. in accordance with the present invention help prevent complete occlusion of ventricular catheter 12. In the present invention, ventricular catheter 12 can only be completely occluded if all the lumens become blocked. In addition, because the transition from multiple lumens to a single lumen 24 occurs from about 0.5 to about 3.0 centimeters from the distal end of the ventricular catheter, any ingrowth of choroid plexus or ependymal tissue must extend beyond this junction to cause complete occlusion and interconnection of tissue from multiple apertures, which is unlikely to happen because of the length the tissue has to grow. The only other way that the choroid plexus or ependymal tissue would cause a complete occlusion is for the tissue to block each of the multiple lumens 24 beyond the slit 30, or to occlude the entire slit 30 and the aperture 26.

(16) The slit lumen geometry is preferably tapered or purposely shaped to provide resistance to fluid flow through the slit that corresponds to the size of the pathway provided by the slit. The size of the slit opening distributes the pressure gradient over a larger distance and surface area than conventional ventricular catheters. Diffusing the pressure gradient diminishes the attractive fluid forces and diminishes areas of high fluid flow, thereby lessens the propensity for tissue ingrowth.

(17) Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B of the present invention, tissue ingrowth 36 is illustrated. As can be seen, tissue ingrowth into aperture 26 will not interconnect with tissue ingrowth from another lumen. Thus, should the ventricular catheter 12 need to be removed, catheter 12 will be pulled back out and tissue ingrowth 36 can be removed from the lumen at the wider end of the taper or at the enlarged opening 28, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. In contrast, in the prior art, tissue ingrowth 36 can be rather difficult to remover from the ventricular catheter should the ventricular catheter 12 need to be removed, as discussed above.

(18) Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, ventricular catheter 12, has a blunt distal end 38 to permit the catheter to be introduced into the brain without damaging brain tissue. In addition, an inner concave surface 40 is sized to receive a stylet for use in introducing the catheter.

(19) It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.