Importance

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Abstract

A catheter assembly for insertion through a surgical opening into an interior body space for enabling a fluid to be introduced into said body space and for enabling unwanted flowable material to be drained from the body space including fluid after the same has been introduced therein. The catheter assembly comprises three separate fluid passages extending within exterior and interior end sections thereof. A balloon structure is in communication with a first passage. A second passage has outlet openings communicating therewith through which treating fluid is introduced into the body space. A third passage has drain openings communicating therewith through which fluid and/or unwanted flowable material in the body space can pass therefrom. The first passage has one or more inflation openings communicating therewith through which inflating fluid is received for passage into the balloon structure to inflate the same so as to cause fluid passing into the body space through the outlet openings to follow a more extensive flow path within the body space in order to reach the drain openings and the drain openings to be maintained substantially operationally free of obstruction by tissue defining the body space than is the case when the balloon structure is deflated within the body space immediately following insertion therein or just prior to withdrawal therefrom.

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First Claim