Thermally softening stylet
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A catheter stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:
- an elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a cross-sectional area, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body and substantially maintains the cross-sectional area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention describes a stylet that softens dramatically upon insertion into a living body with a temperature of about 37° C. The stylet has a distal end and a proximal end. Upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end softens from a stiffness of about 78 Durometer Shore D units to 25 Durometer Shore D units in a preferred embodiment. Moreover, the proximal end of the stylet, which is not inserted into the living body, retains its stiffness to aid a physician or a nurse in inserting and placing the catheter and stylet assembly.
182 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A catheter stylet having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:
an elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a cross-sectional area, wherein upon insertion of the distal end into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body and substantially maintains the cross-sectional area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vascular access device, comprising:
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a catheter having a lumen; and a stylet having a cross-sectional area and a physical property such that the stylet is capable of softening by at least a factor of three and substantially maintaining the cross-sectional area when exposed to a predetermined temperature, wherein the stylet is disposed within the lumen of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A stent stylet comprising:
an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end and a substantially uniform cross-section, the distal end of the stylet having a physical property such that upon insertion into a living body, the distal end of the stylet softens by at least a factor of three in response to a body temperature of the living body. - View Dependent Claims (17)
Specification