PERCUTANEOUS IMPLANT FOR PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

摘要

An implant device for peritoneal dialysis which permits a flexible catheter to be removed and replaced without invasive surgery. The catheter is passed through a substantially rigid tubular percutaneous device and a flexible sleeve member which together form a continuous conduit from the body exterior through the peritoneal wall. The catheter is associated with a percutaneous tubular device so as to be removable and replaceable through the sleeve member after implantation. The catheter preferably has a relatively weak memory which gives it a tendency to maintain a compact coiled configuration near the peritoneal wall. The catheter may extend through the percutaneous device or, more preferably, terminates within the interior cavity of the percutaneous device and is sealed from the environment by means of a septum closure within the device cavity.