Patent ID: 6960191
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. Safety midline catheter apparatus comprising: a catheter specifically intended for midline catheter applications, said catheter having a length, circumscribed about a hollow lumen of substantially constant internal diameter such that an increase in outside diameter of a portion of said catheter results in a consequential increase in catheter wall thickness, comprising a distal section, a medial section, and two proximal sections; said distal section having a predetermined outer diameter sized for over-the-needle skin insertion and being made of sufficiently rigid material for over-the-needle venipuncture; said medial section, proximally disposed relative to said distal section, also having the predetermined outer diameter and being made of a material which is pliable but which has sufficient stiffness to facilitate threading of the distal section of the catheter inserted at a venipuncture site and threaded to a predetermined target site; said two proximal sections comprising a tapered section and a most proximal section which has an essentially constant diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the distal and medial sections, said tapered section being disposed immediately proximally relative to said medial section and being tapered from the outer diameter of the medial section to an outer diameter which is the larger outer diameter of said most proximal section, whereby tapering of said tapered section, in conjunction with the internal diameter of the hollow lumen, provides a wall thickness which effectively resists kinking and associated closure of said lumen which might be associated with bending of the catheter such as may occur due bending of an elbow by a patient into which the catheter is inserted; a hollow needle cannula disposed within said lumen and having a sharpened distal end which is exposed for catheter insertion; an elongated wire affixed, at a distal end, to a proximal end of said needle cannula and, at a proximal end, to a fixture whereby the needle is proximally displaced after catheter insertion; and a safety needle enclosure apparatus into which the needle is displaced and secured, said safety enclosure apparatus comprising means for securely, but releasibly affixing said wire in place, for proximally displacing said hollow needle and for effectively resisting distal displacement of said elongated wire thereby assuring the needle and associated sharpened tip can only be displaced proximally.