abstract |
A kink-resistant, dual-drainage, venous return catheter preferably completely comprised of a polyvinyl chloride material and molded in a conventional injection molding process. This catheter comprises a smaller portion dimensioned to be received in a vena cava, a larger portion and a transition portion between the two other portions. In one embodiment, the transition portion comprises means for stinting the larger portion so that it can't enter the vena cava, a plurality of inlet openings and a plurality of reinforcing channels connecting the inlet openings to the larger portion so that fluid entering the inlet openings is channeled into the larger portion. All of these openings are preferably peripherally chamfered on the inside generally away from the smaller catheter portion and on the outside generally towards and away from the smaller catheter portion. |