Patent ID: 8876774

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; and a rigid tubular needle partially located within the lumen of the body and extending outwardly from the distal end of the body, the needle comprising: a nonporous outer surface defined by a diameter that is less than a diameter of an outer surface of the body; a proximal end comprising a flange having a diameter larger than the diameter of the outer surface of the needle, the flange fixed relative to the inner surface of the body; and a sealed distal tip located a preset distance beyond the distal end of the body, the needle defining a side flow aperture formed along the outer surface of the needle and proximate to, but offset from, the sealed distal tip, the side flow aperture in fluid communication with the lumen of the body; and a guide tube interposed between the proximal end of the needle and the inner surface of the body, wherein the proximal end of the needle is fixed directly to an inner surface of the guide tube and the guide tube is fixed to the body.