The present invention provides a catheter for the delivery of fluid medication
across an anatomical region. In accordance with one embodiment, the catheter comprises
an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the
catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and
forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other
embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a
side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice
of the catheter. Advantageously, fluid within the catheter flows through all of
the exit holes, resulting in uniform distribution of fluid within an anatomical
region. In one particular embodiment, the catheter comprises a tube having elongated
exit slots therein. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes
an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. The porous membrane is configured
so that a fluid introduced into an open end of the tubular member will flow through
side walls of the tubular member at a substantially uniform rate along a length
of the tubular member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes
an elongated "weeping" tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within,
a tube. Fluid within the spring and greater than or equal to a threshold pressure
advantageously flows radially outward between the spring coils. Advantageously,
the fluid is dispensed substantially uniformly throughout a length of the spring.