Patent ID: 8845671
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing an access site on a patient for insertion of a catheter into one of the patient's veins, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tract forming assembly comprising a leading cutting edge and a dilating body defining a trailing dilating portion, the cutting edge and dilating body together defining a tract forming unit; advancing the tract forming unit into skin at the access site so that: a) the cutting edge progressively forms a tract through the patient's skin and subcutaneous tissue towards the one vein; and b) the dilating body follows the cutting edge and dilates the tract; removing the tract forming unit from the dilated tract so that the dilated tract is empty; and directing a catheter through the dilated and empty tract and into the one vein after the tract forming unit is removed.