Patent ID: 7166088

Claim:
A catheter introducer system for introduction of a catheter into a human blood vessel, the system comprising: a catheter sheath defining a generally elongate body with a lumen and distal and proximal openings communicating with the lumen and configured for insertion and longitudinal movement of the catheter therethrough; a first dilator defining a generally elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first dilator is disposed substantially within the lumen of the sheath, with the distal end of the first dilator extending through the distal opening of the sheath, the first dilator removable from the sheath for insertion of the catheter; and a trocar inserted through the lumen of the first dilator, the trocar including a flexible, hollow outer wire, wherein the wire is provided with sufficient flexibility and length for insertion into and safe passage along the human blood vessel for guidance of the catheter in the longitudinal movement of the catheter through the human blood vessel, and a stiff, inner needle with a distal end extending beyond a distal end of the wire, the needle configured for piercing through a patient's derma and entering the blood vessel.