Patent ID: 6197001
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A vascular access device for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel of a patient comprising:a housing having a proximal end and a distal end;an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the introducer needle being attached to the distal end of said housing, the introducer needle being substantially hollow and having a tip at its distal end;a flexible wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end secured within said housing and the distal end extending within the introducer needle;actuating means disposed within said housing for advancing the flexible wire beyond the tip of the introducer needle and into the blood vessel, wherein the actuating means comprises a spring, a disk and a trigger, and wherein the spring is attached to the disk and the disk is attached to the flexible wire, wherein the expansion of the spring is capable of being prevented by the force of the trigger against the disk; andmeans for receiving a catheter such that said catheter is concentrically fitted over the introducer needle and secured to said housing.