Over-the-needle catheter

• US 5,533,988 A
• Filed: 08/23/1994
• Issued: 07/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Luther Medical Products, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Dickerson, Charles W., Luther, Ronald B., Overton, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirsch, Paul J.
• Application Number:
  US08/294,634
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 604/282, 604/281, 604/280
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters

Abstract

A catheter has an abutment member formed proximate the distal end thereof. The abutment member abuts a complimentary abutment surface formed upon an introducer so as to prevent collapsing of the catheter body during the insertion process. The abutment member preferably comprises an annular abutment shoulder, which reduces the diameter of the lumen of the catheter. An opening formed in the catheter body proximate the tip of the catheter facilitates fluid flow through the lumen of the catheter in the event that the reduced diameter portion of the lumen becomes obstructed. The tip of the catheter preferably comprises a rigid material, so as to assure positive locking action of the abutment member of the catheter with the abutment surface of the introducer during the insertion process.

Claims

1. An over the needle catheter insertable into an anatomical structure utilizing an introducer, said catheter comprising:

a) an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end;

b) an abutment member formed proximate the distal end of said catheter body so as to abut a portion of the introducer to prevent the catheter body from collapsing during insertion of the catheter body;

c) a catheter tip formed of a more rigid material than said catheter body for mitigating collapsing of the catheter body, said catheter body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, said catheter tip comprising;

i) a generally frusto-conical member comprising;

(A) a base having a diameter approximate to the outer diameter of the catheter body;

(B) a bore having a diameter approximate to the inner diameter of the catheter body;

(C) a tip having a diameter approximate the diameter of said bore;

ii) a shaft extending from the base of said frusto-conical member and co-axial therewith, said shaft having a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the catheter and less than the outer diameter thereof, said shaft having a bore extending co-linear to the bore of said frusto-conical member;

iii) at least one barb formed upon said shaft to anchor said shaft to said catheter; and

d) wherein said abutment member and said catheter tip cooperate to facilitate insertion of the catheter body into an anatomical structure in a manner which inhibits collapsing of the catheter body.

2. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said catheter tip comprises a radiopaque material.

3. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said generally frusto-conical member, said shaft, and said barb(s) are formed of a common piece of metal.

4. The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said barb(s) comprise annularly configured barb(s) which substantially encircle said shaft.