METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION OF A CATHETER

摘要

A method and apparatus for overpressure protection of a catheter from an indwell ing catheter. A method in one embodiment includes injecting an agent into the cathet er and relieving overpressures in the catheter during the injecting step. The agent is typically a declotting agent and the obstruction is typically a clot (e.g., blood clot). In one embodiment of the apparatus, a catheter includes a cannula and a first hub and a second hub, each of which are coupled t o the cannula. The first hub is for receiving an agent which is placed into the cannula to remove a n obstruction, and the second hub includes an overpressure relief valve for relieving an overpressu re condition in the cannula. Other embodiments of the invention are also described.