Patent ID: 7799014
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A system for placement of a catheter comprising: a) a guidewire having a length with a proximal end and a distal end adapted and configured for positioning in a right atrium and having an outer diameter and configured for receipt within a catheter for passage of the catheter thereover; b) a unitary trocar having an elongated tubular portion, a handle portion, and a lumen extending longitudinally through the tubular portion and handle portion, and a first opening at a proximal portion of the trocar and a second opening at a distal portion of the trocar, the second opening spaced proximally from a distalmost tip of the trocar, the first and second openings communicating with the lumen, the tubular portion terminating in a blunt dilating tip configured to dilate tissue and create a subcutaneous tissue tunnel extending for a distance under the skin from a first entry point to a second exit point, the lumen of the trocar having a first internal diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the catheter, the guidewire proximal end insertable through the lumen of the trocar and through the tissue tunnel in a proximal direction, the diameter of the lumen being greater than an outer diameter of the guidewire and the proximal end of the guidewire received first into the second opening at the distal portion of the trocar and exiting at the first opening at the proximal portion of the trocar to enable proximal movement of the guidewire, the trocar withdrawable from over the guidewire for subsequent insertion of the catheter; c) the catheter having a first lumen configured for blood delivery to a patient and a second independent lumen configured for blood withdrawal from the patient, at least a portion of the catheter having an outer diameter configured for insertion through a subcutaneous tissue tunnel without the use of the trocar, the catheter configured to receive a guidewire which passes through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel, and d) a tubular stiffening member having a proximal portion extending proximally from the catheter, a distal portion and a longitudinally extending lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the tubular stiffening member received in the catheter such that the catheter with the stiffening member positioned therein is inserted into the patient, at least a portion of the stiffening member configured and dimensioned to receive a guidewire within the lumen and pass through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel and dimensioned to pass over the guidewire after the trocar has been removed from a position over the guidewire, the guidewire extending proximally of the stiffening member.