Patent ID: 6500157
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An improved catheter assembly (i) which does not require that a separate sharpened needle be inserted with the catheter and then removed immediately after the catheter is in place in an anatomical passageway such as a blood vessel, (ii) which resists clotting, and (iii) which minimizes the trauma to such anatomical passageway so that the catheter may remain in place for an extended period of time, said catheter assembly comprising:an elongated flexible tube, a needle tip for enabling insertion of said tube into said anatomical passageway, said needle tip fixedly secured to the distal end of said flexible tube such that said needle tip is located within said anatomical passageway during use of said catheter to introduce fluids into said anatomical passageway, said tube having sufficient flexibility so that said needle tip is allowed to be flow directed toward the center of said anatomical passageway when said tube is located therewithin, and a safety inserter comprising first and second concentric cannulas, said second cannula disposed within said first cannula and extending from a distal end of said first cannula, said second cannula sized to be removably engaged within said needle tip and said first cannula sized to be removably engaged within said flexible tube, said inserter removably placed within said flexible tube and said needle tip during insertion of said flexible tube into the anatomical passageway, said inserter having sufficient rigidity so that said flexible tube can be initially positioned within said anatomical passageway without collapsing during the insertion procedure.