Catheter introducer and method of introducing a catheter into the heart
First Claim
1. An apparatus for introducing a catheter into the heart, said apparatus comprising an elongate main body portion having an end portion defining a pointed configuration for piercing a wall of the heart, said main body portion defining therein a sidewardly opening trough for receiving therein a terminal end portion of a catheter to be introduced into the heart through a wall thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter introducer and a method of introducing a catheter into a heart. The catheter introducer includes a front puncturing end and a main body portion which defines an upwardly-opening trough therein. A catheter is placed in piggy-back fashion within the trough, and the puncturing end of the tool is inserted into the heart, so that the catheter is delivered into the heart essentially simultaneously with the piercing of the heart wall. The catheter introducer results in a faster introduction of the catheter, and minimizes blood loss and trauma to the heart.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. An apparatus for introducing a catheter into the heart, said apparatus comprising an elongate main body portion having an end portion defining a pointed configuration for piercing a wall of the heart, said main body portion defining therein a sidewardly opening trough for receiving therein a terminal end portion of a catheter to be introduced into the heart through a wall thereof.
- 6. A catheter introducer comprising a main body portion having one end configured for puncturing a wall of a heart, said main body portion defining therein a channel within which a catheter is positionable for introduction into the heart.
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12. A method of introducing a catheter into a heart, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a tool having a piercing end and a main body portion connected to the piercing end, said main body portion defining a trough therein;
providing a catheter;
positioning an end portion of the catheter within the trough of the tool;
puncturing a wall of the heart with the piercing end of the tool to create an opening in the wall;
inserting the tool and the end portion of the catheter positioned therein through the opening and into the heart; and
withdrawing the tool from the heart and away from the catheter so that the end portion thereof is positioned within the heart. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification