Patent ID: 7120487

Claim:
A catheter system comprising: an insulated needle having a proximal end configured for fluid connection and a distal end configured for insertion through tissue and into a vicinity of a nerve or nerve plexus within a patient; an electrically conductive wire coupled for supplying an electrical current to the insulated needle; a catheter introducer having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end is made integral with the proximal end of the insulated needle, and wherein the proximal end of the catheter introducer comprises: a cap portion in rotational securement with the distal end of the catheter introducer; an elastic tube arranged about a rotational axis of the catheter introducer and fixedly attached to the cap portion and to the distal end of the catheter introducer; wherein rotation of the cap portion relative to the distal end of the catheter introducer modifies an internal diameter of the elastic tube by wrapping one end of the elastic tube about the rotational axis; and a catheter configured for insertion within and through the catheter introducer and the insulated needle, wherein the catheter is adapted to administer fluids within the vicinity of the nerve or nerve plexus.