CATHETER WITH EXPANDABLE FLOW AREA

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a catheter for insertion into a patient's body is provided. The catheter comprises an elongated member having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion. A lumen is formed through the proximal and distal portions. The elongated member is formed of a polymeric material including shape memory polymers having a first phase transition temperature and a second phase transition temperature that is less than the first phase transition temperature but is greater than about room temperature. The elongated member has a first configuration at about room temperature for insertion into the patient's body and self-configures to a second configuration at a first temperature of at least the second phase transition temperature for fluid communication with the patient's body. At least a portion of the lumen has a larger flow area in the second configuration than in the first configuration.