| abstract |
A catheter device has an elongate body and a chamber positioned within the elongate body. The chamber has a chamber opening, and a barrier, such as a gate, moves over the chamber opening. The barrier moves between an uncovered position uncovering the chamber opening and a covered position covering the chamber opening. The catheter has at least one cutting edge by the chamber opening. In particular, the at least one cutting edge may be on the barrier, where the at least one cutting edge is guided over the chamber opening with movement of the barrier between the uncovered position and the covered position. The cutting edge cuts away a fibrin sheath blocking the chamber opening. The catheter may have multiple chambers connected by channels that allow the chambers to be flushed to prevent microbial colonization. |