Importance

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Abstract

A catheter includes a tubular member forming a primary lumen and having an insufflation lumen formed in the wall thereof. The insufflation lumen is of somewhat D-shape with the generally flat side being radially inward and the curved side being radially outward. A communicating tube, which is provided for connection to the proximal opening of the insufflation lumen, is made, at least at the end thereof connected to the insufflation lumen, of a cross-sectional shape approximating that of the insufflation lumen. The generally flat side of this tube is aligned with the generally flat side of the insufflation lumen and the curved radially outward side is aligned with the corresponding side of the insufflation lumen. The communicating tube, at least in the region of connection to the insufflation lumen, is made of a relatively rigid material so as to resist deformation and resultant restriction of the internal cross-section thereof. Because of the making of the communicating tube with a generally flat side disposed inwardly, there is a much lesser tendency for the rigid end of the communicating tube, when inserted into the proximal opening, to cause a bulge in the internal cross-section of the primary lumen.

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First Claim