DUAL DUROMETER EPIDURAL CATHETER

摘要

2049018 9010466 PCTABS00002 A catheter (10) intended for the administration of an anesthetic into a body space and methods of use such as introduction within the interpleural space are disclosed. According to the disclosure, the catheteris constructed so that only a soft distal portion (13) resides within the body space. A relatively stiff portion (14) joined to the relatively soft portion through the dense body tissue to the proximal end of the catheter. A biocompatible resin providing a softness of about 80A to 100A Rockwell is used for the relatively stiff portion. The relatively soft portion avoids damage to the delicate body tissue bounding the space whereas the relatively stiff portion resists kinking or collapse, both within the relatively stiff body tissue and outside the body. Spaced apart reference markings (16) are provided on the relatively stiff portion of the catheter in position to provide a visual indication of the amount of the relatively soft distal portion that is within the body space.