Tunneler-needle combination for tunneled catheter placement

• US 20030088212A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yale University
• Original Assignee: Yale University
• Inventors: Tal, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,994,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/163
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0194 Tunnelling catheters

Abstract

An access system for providing subcutaneous access to a vessel, organ, or body cavity comprises a needle and a rigid or semi-rigid tunneler arranged coaxially around the needle, such that the needle moves slidably within the tunneler. Optionally a sheath may be positioned coaxial to the tunneler. The tunneler-needle system is inserted through an incision in a patient'"'"'s skin to initiate a procedure whereby a catheter is inserted into the vessel, organ, or body cavity.

Claims

1. An access system for providing subcutaneous access to a vessel, organ, or body cavity, which comprises:

a) a needle having a distal end and a proximal end, and

b) a rigid or semi-rigid tunneler arranged coaxially around the needle and having a distal end a proximal end,

wherein the needle moves slidably within the tunneler and the needle proximal end has a gripping member for advancing said needle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the tunneler is a hollow tube.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tunneler is straight, angled, or slightly curved.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the tunneler is shaped like a needle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the tunneler is comprised of a physiologically acceptable metal or polymer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tunneler comprises stainless steel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the needle gripper member is a port.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the port receives a guidewire.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the tunneler has a gripping member.

21. A method for providing subcutaneous access to a vessel, organ, or body cavity, which comprises the steps of:

a) creating an incision in the skin of a patient over or adjacent to a vessel, organ, or body cavity;

b) inserting an access system of claim 1 through the incision to cause the distal end of the tunneler to be adjacent to the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

c) advancing the distal end of the needle into the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

d) advancing a guidewire through the needle into the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

e) withdrawing the tunneler and needle;

f) advancing a flexible catheter over the guidewire into the vessel, organ, or body cavity; and

g) withdrawing the guidewire.

22. A method for providing subcutaneous access to a vessel, organ, or body cavity, which comprises the steps of:

a) creating an incision in the skin of a patient over or adjacent to a vessel, organ, or body cavity;

b) inserting an access system of claim 8 through the incision to cause the distal end of the tunneler to be adjacent to the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

c) advancing the distal end of the needle into the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

d) advancing a guidewire through the needle into the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

e) withdrawing the tunneler and needle;

f) advancing a flexible catheter over the guidewire and through the sheath into the vessel, organ, or body cavity;

g) withdrawing the guidewire; and

h) peeling the catheter away.

10. An access system for providing subcutaneous access to a vessel, organ, or body cavity, which comprises:

a) a needle having a distal end and a proximal end,

b) a rigid or semi-rigid tunneler arranged coaxially around the needle and having a distal end a proximal end, and

c) a sheath arranged coaxially around the tunneler,

wherein the needle moves slidably within the tunneler and the needle proximal end has a gripping member for moving said needle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the tunneler is a hollow tube.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the tunneler is straight, angled, or slightly curved.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the tunneler is shaped like a needle.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the tunneler is comprised of a physiologically acceptable metal or polymer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the tunneler comprises stainless steel.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the needle gripper member is a port.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the tunneler has a gripping member.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the sheath is a peelaway sheath, catheter or tubular structure.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the sheath is a peelaway sheath.

17. The system of claim 17, wherein the port receives a guidewire.