Hard tip over-the-needle catheter and method of manufacturing the same

• US 5,916,208 A
• Filed: 11/21/1996
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Luther Medical Products, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Pearsall, Harold, Dickerson, Charles W., Luther, Ronald B., Overton, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimell, Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Racunas, Robert V.
• Application Number:
  US08/754,698
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 604/280, 604/281, 604/282, 604/49, 604/51-53, 604/164, 604/264
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/001 Forming the tip of a catheter, e.g. bevelling process, join or taper
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube

Abstract

An over-the-needle catheter for insertion into an anatomical passage through the use of an introducer. The catheter comprises an elongate, flexible catheter body defining proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Partially inserted into and protruding from the distal end of the catheter body is a rigid, tubular sleeve which defines an abutment shoulder within the lumen of the catheter body. Disposed on and encapsulating the exposed portion of the sleeve is a distal tip member defining a central opening which communicates with the lumen via the sleeve. The abutment shoulder is adapted to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the tip member relative to the introducer to prevent the tip member from being pushed proximally over the introducer and collapsing the catheter body during the insertion of the catheter into the anatomical passage.

Claims

1. A method for inserting a catheter into an anatomical passage, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a catheter installed upon an introducer, said catheter comprising;

i) an elongate, flexible catheter body formed of a first material an defining proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough;

ii) a rigid, tubular sleeve partially inserted into the distal end of the catheter body and protruding therefrom, said sleeve being secured to the catheter body and defining an abutment shoulder within the lumen thereof, said abutment shoulder being adapted to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the tip member relative to the introducer to prevent the tip member from being pushed proximally over the introducer and collapsing the catheter body during the insertion of the catheter into the anatomical passage; and

iii) a distal tip member disposed on and encapsulating an exposed portion of the sleeve, said tip member being formed of a second material and defining a central opening which communicates with the lumen via the sleeve;

b) inserting the catheter and introducer into the anatomical passage; and

c) removing the introducer from the catheter while maintaining the catheter within the anatomical passage.