Patent ID: 9452278
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: A61F,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A catheter assembly comprising: a catheter including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an internal channel extending from the catheter proximal portion to the catheter distal portion; an extendible element which includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, and extends through the internal channel of the catheter to the proximal portion of the catheter and which includes an internal channel and has an outer surface, and at least one opening in the proximal portion of the extendible element between the internal channel of the extendible element and the outer surface thereof; an extendible element/catheter proximal locking element comprising a member engaged with the proximal portion of the catheter and with the proximal portion of the extendible element and a locking filament slidably disposed within the internal channel of the extendible element from the distal portion to the proximal thereof, exiting the internal channel of the extendible element through the at least one opening, engaging the member engaged with the proximal portion of the catheter, returning to the internal channel of the extendible element and extending to the distal portion of the extendible element so as to releasably attach the extendible element and the proximal portion of the catheter so that the proximal portions of the extendible element and the catheter can be detached; and a handle engaged with the distal portion of the extendible element and the distal portion of the assembly which releasably engages the distal portion of the extendible element and the distal portion of the assembly, the handle being movable relative to the assembly when not engaged therewith; wherein: when the extendible element is releasably attached to the proximal portion of the catheter and releasably engaged with the distal portion of the assembly, one or more of push, pull and rotational forces applied to the extendible element are transmitted to the proximal and distal portions of the catheter while the catheter is being inserted into the lumen; and when the extendible element is released from attachment with the proximal portion of the catheter and from engagement with the distal portion of the assembly, the extendible element can be axially withdrawn from the catheter.