Patent ID: 7833194
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter assembly comprising: a proximal end, a distal end, a catheter tube extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a proximal connector positioned at the proximal end, the proximal connector being configured to be coupled to a medical device; a distal connector positioned at the distal end, the distal connector configured to be coupled to a medical device, the distal connector comprising a sleeve collar and an extension extending from the sleeve collar toward the proximal end such that the extension is positioned between the sleeve collar and the proximal end, the extension defining a tube aperture, wherein the catheter tube is movable through the distal connector; an insertion control member adjustably carried on the catheter tube and configured to provide a tactile indication to a user that a predetermined position of the catheter tube has been reached as the catheter tube is advanced through the distal connector, the insertion control member further including two opposed flattened grip portions and a tube passage with an elongated cross-section, the elongated cross-section of the tube passage enabling the insertion control member to grip the catheter tube, wherein when the grip portions are pinched together by the user the elongated cross-section becomes wider so that the user can slide the insertion control member along the catheter tube and wherein the release of the grip portions causes the tube passage to return to the elongated cross-section so that the catheter tube is gripped again; and a flexible sleeve connected to the sleeve collar and proximal connector and disposed around the catheter tube and extension to preserve the sterility of the catheter tube, the extension of the distal connector configured to deflect the flexible sleeve to prevent the sleeve from interfering with the tube aperture of the distal connector.