Thermo-sensitivity requirements where the catheter is stiff when being inserted but then softens to improve patient comfort and for vessel conformity reasons.Co-efficient of friction requirements, e.g., a device designed to pass something through one of the lumens is likely to need a low co-efficient of friction in that lumen.The functional and mechanical considerations that are important when designing a multi-lumen catheter include: Will temperature impact the performance of the catheter?įunctional and Mechanical Considerations for Multi-Lumen Catheters.What sterilization methods will be used?.What are the biocompatibility requirements?.Other important material considerations include: Those performance characteristics include everything from kink resistance to steerability to durometer shore and more. For example, in multi-lumen catheters that feature multiple materials, the performance of the device will be impacted by each of the materials used. The materials used in the design of a multi-lumen catheter will impact the performance of the device. Material Considerations for Multi-Lumen Catheters For example, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty catheters typically have lumens of varying sizes and shapes. However, there is no set design for the lumens inside the catheter, as it is possible to size and shape the lumens based on the requirements of the catheter and what it will be used for. Both double and triple lumen catheters are often used for peripherally inserted central catheters. Many triple lumen catheters also have a design that is symmetrical, with the cross-section looking like a peace symbol. For example, a triple-lumen catheter could have one large-diameter lumen and two with smaller diameters.ĭouble lumen catheters are sometimes referred to as double-D lumen catheters in reference to the shape of each lumen in some designs, i.e., two semicircles. It is also possible to design lumens with various sizes and shapes within the same catheter. In some situations, it is even possible to have more than five lumens. Multi-lumen catheters often feature two or three lumens, although four and five-lumen designs are also common. To speak to one of our engineers about your idea for a new multi-lumen catheter device, please get in touch by completing the form below. Instead, each lumen has its own exit point, allowing the treatment to pass through one of the lumens and out of its exit point into the bloodstream Those capabilities include infusing drugs while monitoring flow rate, as well as flushing, cooling, heating, and aspiration.Ī crucial benefit of multi-lumen catheter design is that treatments inserted into the lumens do not mix inside the catheter. However, multi-lumen catheters also have other capabilities. This can include using the separate lumens to administer different treatments. However, the multi-lumen design allows more than one activity to take place during the same procedure.

As it is a single catheter, there is only one entry point. In simple terms, a multi-lumen catheter is a single catheter with multiple internal channels or lumens. They can also be designed with a wide range of performance characteristics.įurthermore, advances in the design of catheter devices are opening up new opportunities and making it possible to create new multi-lumen catheter products that will improve the treatment and diagnosis of patients with various complex conditions.

Multi-lumen catheters are used for several different applications, including highly complicated procedures.

Triple lumen central line flow rate