Patent ID: 6905481
Filing Date: 2005-06-14
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A percutaneous catheter assembly comprising: a catheter housing having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen therethrough, said distal end configured to penetrate a blood vessel wall and pass axially through the blood vessel without trauma to the patient, said proximal end configured to connect to a standard sized blood pump, said catheter housing having a transition section between the distal end and the proximal end, said catheter housing further comprising at least one perforation in a wall thereof in fluid communication with said lumen to permit the passage of a contrast fluid through said perforation; a dilator having a distal end and a proximal end, said dilator configured to pass axially through the lumen of said catheter housing, said dilator having at least one opening in a side wall thereof proximate the distal end of the dilator for permitting passage of the contrast fluid therethrough, said proximal end of said dilator configured to receive said contrast fluid from an external source, said dilator configured with sufficient stiffness to withstand axial forces on said dilator during insertion of the dilator into the lumen of said catheter housing and during insertion of both said dilator and said catheter housing into the patient's vascular system; and an end cap having a central bore therethrough, said end cap configured to seal the proximal end of said catheter housing from fluid flow when said dilator is inserted within the lumen of said catheter housing while said cap is inserted within said proximal end of said catheter housing; and a sleeve comprising a synthetic material having a generally textile characteristic, said sleeve positioned at and surrounding a part of the proximal section of said catheter housing, said sleeve serving to provide a substrate upon which a treating physician may secure said catheter housing to the patient to minimize relative movement therebetween, wherein the catheter housing has a mid-section having a diameter greater than the diameter of the distal section but less than the diameter of the proximal section.