Catheterization device and method

• US 20080027390A1
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carlos Jaramillo, Timothy M. Holt
• Original Assignee: Carlos Jaramillo, Timothy M. Holt
• Inventors: Holt, Timothy M., Jaramillo, Carlos
• Granted Patent: US 8,882,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/170.03
• 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

Abstract

An improved catheterization device of the type in which a flexible catheter overlays a rigid or semi-rigid stylet, the improvement residing in the preformed arcuate curvature of the stylet, the curvature of which can be in the form of a circular arc, an elliptical arc, or an irregular curvature, for facilitating insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel of a subject with reduced risk of vascular damage or where the direct path to the blood vessel is obstructed, and methods for its use.

Claims

1. A catheterization device comprising:

a tubular fitting comprising a proximal end adapted for mounting to a means of fluid delivery or collection, a tapered distal end, and an interior surface;

a flexible catheter comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an interior surface, the proximal end of said catheter mounted to the distal end of said fitting, the interior surfaces of the catheter and the fitting in fluid communication;

a preformed arcuate stylet comprising a tip adapted for penetrating tissue, the stylet disposed within said catheter from the proximal end of said catheter to the distal end of said catheter, the tip of the stylet extending from the distal end of said catheter; and

a sealing member detachably mounted to the proximal end of said fitting.

2. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein said tubular fitting comprises a female luer fitting.

3. The catheterization device according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable covering mounting to said sealing member and substantially enclosing the catheter, the stylet, and the fitting.

4. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a means for retracting the stylet into said sealing member.

5. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the arcuation of said stylet is an arc of a circle.

6. The catheterization device according to claim 5, wherein the arc has a radius from about 1.5 inches to about 12 inches.

7. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the stylet has a length from about 0.5 inches to about 4 inches.

8. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the arcuation of said stylet is a portion of an ellipse.

9. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the arcuation of said stylet is an arc of an ellipse.

10. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the arcuation of said stylet is an irregular arcuation.

11. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member further comprises a port comprising an air filter element, the port disposed distal to the fitting.

12. The catheterization device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises a plurality of detachable parts.

13. A method for intravenous catheterization using the catheterization device according to claim 1, the method comprising:

(a) placing the tip of a stylet of a device according to claim 1 upon the skin of a subject proximal to a vein;

(b) inserting the tip of the stylet into said vein by causing the tip to substantially describe the arcuation of said stylet;

(c) withdrawing the stylet from the catheter; and

(d) detaching the sealing member from the fitting.