| abstract |
A flexible dual lumen catheter is provided for use especially in prolonged access. The catheter is especially used for such access in haemodialysis treatments and includes an elongate body having side-by-side lumens, distal and proximal ends, and one of the lumens being an intake lumen for receiving body fluid and other being a return lumen for leading fluid to the body. Connecting tubes are provided attached to the lumens and a tip is provided adjacent the distal end. The tip defines an intake opening spaced from the distal end of the body to provide access to the intake lumen and the return opening leads from the return lumen at the distal end of the body. The body has two portions, a distal portion adjacent the distal end for engagement within body tissue and a proximal portion extending between the connecting tubes and the distal portion, the distal portion having minimal rigidity for acceptance in the body tissue and the proximal portion having greater rigidity sufficient to minimize the risk of kinking during insertion and during normal use. A cuff is provided at the junction of the proximal and distal portions for attachment to the patient as blood clots in the cuff. |