Patent ID: 8235944

Claim:
A medical device for the placement of regional anesthesia catheters, said device comprising: (a) a hollow needle comprising a shaft, a proximal end and a distal tip; (b) a plunger attached to or around said proximal end of said needle, said plunger comprising a hub, said hub providing access to the interior lumen of said needle; (c) a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, said housing being dimensioned to allow said plunger to move inside of said housing with friction; (d) a regional anesthesia catheter comprising a hollow body, a proximal end and a distal tip, said distal tip being pre-loaded inside said needle; and (e) a clear, flexible sheath comprising a proximal hub and a distal hub, said distal hub being attached to said hub of said plunger, and said sheath covering said catheter.