METHOD OF INTRODUCING AN INTRAVENOUS CATHETER INTO THE VASCULAR SYSTEM

• US 3,598,118 A
• Filed: 11/04/1968
• Issued: 08/10/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph E. Warren
• Original Assignee: Joseph E. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US04/778,914
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• US Class Current: 604/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/065 Guide needles

Abstract

A needle comprising a tube, having a pointed leading end, a longitudinal hairline slot extending the length thereof, collar means spaced from the pointed leading end, and tube walls of sufficient flexibility to permit expansion of the needle upon insertion of a catheter therethrough when the catheter has an outside diameter which is larger than the inside diameter of the tube, is employed to introduce catheters into body cavities. In use, the needle is inserted into the cavity, the catheter is then passed through the needle into the cavity causing expansion of the needle, the needle is withdrawn from the body along the catheter and, by use of the collar to further expand the needle, removed longitudinally from the needle.

Claims

1. A method for introducing a catheter into a patient'"'"''"'"'s body cavity with an expansioN needle comprising a flexible tube having a circular cross section, a pointed leading end and a single longitudinal hairline slot through the tube wall and extending the entire length of said tube, the wall of said tube being sufficiently flexible to permit radial expansion of said needle on insertion of a catheter having an outside diameter which is greater than the normal inside diameter of said tube through said tube and collar means for withdrawing the needle from the patient along the catheter and for removing it longitudinally therefrom by further expansion of said needle, said method comprising passing said needle through body tissues and into a body cavity, passing a catheter having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of said tube through the bore of said tube and into said cavity, whereby the walls of said tube expand about said catheter, withdrawing said needle from the body of said patient along said catheter while leaving said catheter in place, and further expanding said needle and withdrawing it longitudinally from said catheter.

2. A method for introducing a catheter into the lumen of a blood vessel as defined in claim 1.