Patent ID: 6814725
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An intravascular catheter assembly comprising:a catheter for insertion into a blood vessel, the catheter having a hollow lumen with an open distal end and an open proximal end; a distal needle for extending through the catheter lumen in an injection position of the distal needle, the distal needle having a distal injection end which extends beyond the open distal end of the catheter in the injection position for insertion into a blood vessel with at least a portion of the catheter, the distal needle having a proximal end; an adapter connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the adapter having a plug for blocking blood flow from the catheter and being adapted to receive a connector for connecting the adapter to discharge blood from the blood vessel or to supply fluid to the blood vessel, the distal needle being distally of the plug in the injection position of the distal needle; a proximal needle having a distal end extending toward the distal needle and a proximal end extending away from the distal needle; needle coupling means engageable between the distal end of the proximal needle and the proximal end of the distal needle for coupling the needles to each other to form coupled needles; and needle holding means detachably joined to the adapter for holding the proximal needle in a storage position proximally of the plug, and for guiding movement of the proximal needle in a distal direction toward the distal needle for moving the distal end of the proximal needle through the plug and into coupling engagement with the proximal end of the distal needle by action of the needle coupling means, the proximal needle being in an operative position when coupled with the distal needle with the distal needle in its injection position so that the distal needle can be injected into a blood vessel; the coupled needles being movable together in a proximal direction to a withdrawn position for withdrawing the distal needle from the catheter and through the plug for allowing the needle holding means to be disconnected from the adapter and exposing the adapter for connection to a connector.