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Epidural catheter system utilizing splittable needle

  • US 5,425,717 A
  • Filed: 08/12/1993
  • Issued: 06/20/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for administering epidural anesthesia to a patient comprising, in combination:

  • (1) an epidural catheter having opposed distal and proximal ends;

    (2) an adapter for placing the catheter in fluid communication with a source of liquid anesthesia, the adapter having opposed distal and proximal ends and a hollow bore extending between the opposed ends of the adapter, the proximal end of the catheter being permanently secured to the distal end of the adapter; and

    (3) a splittable needle device into which the catheter is inserted for introduction into the peridural space of a patient to administer anesthesia, the needle device comprising an epidural needle having a barrel portion with inner and outer walls and opposed distal and proximal ends, the needle being splittable from its distal to its proximal end whereby to be separable from the catheter inserted there within upon splitting;

    a hub assembly secured around the proximal end of the needle;

    means for splitting the needle and the hub assembly to separate the device from the catheter, the splitting means including flexing wings secured to the needle and to the hub assembly so as to cause splitting of each of the needle and the hub assembly upon flexing of the wings; and

    guide means separate from the splitting means for gripping to facilitate insertion of the needle without touching the splitting means, which touching can cause inadvertent premature splitting of the needle, the guide means consisting of a guide bar seated on and secured to the flexing wings, the guide bar having two substantially equal longitudinal sections, each having upper and lower longitudinal surfaces, the two sections being separated at their upper surface by a slit, the slit extending substantially through the guide bar to the lower surface of the guide bar.

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