Catheter for uniform delivery of medication
US6350253B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 19, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0073
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication across an anatomical region. In accordance with some embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. The porous membrane is configured so that a fluid introduced into an open end of the tubular member will flow through side walls of the tubular member at a substantially uniform rate along a length of the tubular member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube. Fluid within the spring and greater than or equal to a threshold pressure advantageously flows radially outward between the spring coils. Advantageously, the fluid is dispensed substantially uniformly throughout a length of the spring. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. Advantageously, fluid within the catheter flows through all of the exit holes, resulting in uniform distribution of fluid within an anatomical region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.