FLESH PENETRATING APPARATUS

• US 3,717,151 A
• Filed: 03/11/1971
• Issued: 02/20/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert M. Collett
• Original Assignee: Robert M. Collett
• Inventors: Collett, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/123,291
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 128/242,244,343,345,347,348,35R,35V,351
• US Class Current: 604/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/02 Holding devices, e.g. on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters

Abstract

A catheter apparatus for retention within the body of an animal employing a sleeve assembly composed of an inner sleeve telescopingly supported within an outer sleeve, a multiple radially expandable finger assembly hingedly integrally connected at one end to the outer sleeve and capable of being maintained in the radially outermost position by the inner sleeve, the fingers being movable substantially in line with the outer sleeve upon disassociation of the inner sleeve.

Claims

1. A catheter apparatus adapted to be inserted interiorly of an animal body, said apparatus comprising:

a first sleeve and a second sleeve, said second sleeve slidably mounted upon said first sleeve, the combined said sleeves having an inner end and an outer end, said inner end adapted to be inserted into the animal body;

a plurality of separate fingers attached to said inner end of said second sleeve, the base of each of said fingers being pivotally connected to said second sleeve, a shoulder located upon each of said fingers at its said base;

each of said finger elements being movable between a first position and a second position and a third position, the fingers in said first position being in an exterior abutting relationship and in substantial alignment with said second sleeve, said first position being the normal position of said fingers during the insertion movement of said apparatus within the animal body, said second position being such that each of said fingers is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said second sleeve said third position being such that said fingers extend beyond said second sleeve and in substantial alignment with said axis, the shoulders being in contact with said first sleeve when the fingers are in said second position, thereby being prevented from movement toward said third position, whereby said fingers may be moved into said third position when said first sleeve is displaced interiorly of said second sleeve so that said shoulders are no longer in abutting contact with said first sleeve, whereby said fingers substantially unhinder withdrawal movement of said apparatus from said animal body.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including:

the outer extremity of each of said fingers being inclined, the inclination being such that with said fingers in said first position, said outer extremity being inclined outwardly away from said second sleeve, thereby during insertion movement of said apparatus within an animal body said inclined portion of said fingers substantially unhinder insertion movement, and upon said apparatus being completely inserted within the animal body slight movement in reverse to the insertion movement causes said inclined portions of said fingers to contact the animal body and forcibly pivot said fingers to said second position.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

each of said fingers is equiangularly spaced from each other about said second sleeve.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein:

each of said fingers is integrally connected to said second sleeve through a plastic hinge.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

first means adjustably located upon said second sleeve adjacent said outer end, with said fingers in said second position said first means to contact the exterior surface of the animal body to thereby effect a squeezing of the tissue of the animal between said first means and said finger assembly.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said first means comprises a collar slidably mounted upon said second sleeve.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said first sleeve is of a greater longitudinal length than said second sleeve.