Patent ID: 8480626

Claim:
A catheter assembly comprising: a flexible tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the body comprising an inner surface defining a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; a guide tube fixed to the inner surface of the body near the distal end of the body; a tubular needle fixed to an inner surface of the guide tube so as to restrict any relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the needle comprises: a proximal end forming a flange; and a protruding portion that extends distally beyond a terminal distal end face of the guide tube, the protruding portion of the needle comprising: an outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the guide tube; and a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end face of the guide tube, the needle defining at least two side flow apertures formed along the outer surface of the needle proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow apertures in fluid communication with the lumen of the body.