| abstract |
A long indwelling double bore catheter for dilution and sampling of blood on a continuing basis capable of being used for long periods of time. The long indwelling double bore catheter has a small mixing chamber with an opening of a cross-sectional area equal to or less than the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores, said opening communicating with the body fluid, e.g., blood, to be sampled, and wherein the distance of the mixing chamber from the distal end of the double bores to the end of the catheter is equal to or greater than 2 millimeters. Preferably, the volume of the mixing chamber is between about 3 and about 9×10 -5 cubic inches. Preferably, the opening which communicates with the body fluid is a noncircular elongated opening which is equal to or less than twice the combined cross-sectional areas of the double bores. |