Patent ID: 6506182
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for accessing the vascular system of a patient, said method comprising the steps of:(1) providing a needle and obturator assembly comprising: a needle having a distal end and a proximal end, said needle comprising a first lumen; a distal body element having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said distal body element being mounted to said proximal end of said needle, and said distal body element comprising a second lumen, with said second lumen being in communication with said first lumen; a compressible tube having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said compressible tube being mounted to said proximal end of said distal body element, and said compressible tube comprising a third lumen, with said third lumen being in communication with said second lumen; a proximal body element having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said proximal body element being mounted to said proximal end of said compressible tube, and said proximal body element comprising a fourth lumen, with said fourth lumen being in communication with said third lumen; closure means connected to said compressible tube for selectively closing off said third lumen; a cap having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said cap being removably mounted to said proximal end of said proximal body element, and said cap comprising a fifth lumen, said fifth lumen being in communication with said fourth lumen when said cap is mounted to said proximal body element, and said cap comprising a septum extending transversely across said fifth lumen; an obturator having a distal end and a proximal end, said obturator being removably disposed in said first lumen, said second lumen, said third lumen, said fourth lumen and said fifth lumen, with said obturator passing through said septum when said obturator is disposed in said fifth lumen; and locking means connected to said proximal end of said obturator for selectively locking said obturator to said cap; (2) passing said needle assembly through the skin of a patient so that said distal end of said needle is in communication with the vascular system of the patient; (3) unlocking said locking means; (4) removing said obturator from said first lumen, said second lumen, said third lumen, said fourth lumen and said fifth lumen; (5) engaging said closure means so as to close off said third lumen; (6) removing said cap from said proximal body element; and (7) disengaging said closure means so as to open up said third lumen; whereby access to the vascular system of the patient will be provided through said first, second, third and fourth lumens.