Patent ID: 7758586

Claim:
An apparatus for introducing a catheter through a body opening along an insertion axis and in an insertion direction, the catheter having an external catheter surface and an aperture defined in a wall of the catheter, said apparatus comprising: plural arms each having an end portion configured to extend into the body opening in the insertion direction, each said arm being configured to extend adjacent the external catheter surface; and a projection extending from said end portion of each said arm at an angle to said insertion axis and in a direction toward the insertion axis, each said projection being configured to extend at least partially within the aperture defined in the wall of the catheter; wherein a forward surface of at least one of said projections extends from said end portion of said arm at an acute angle with respect to the insertion axis and along the insertion direction, each said projection being shaped to engage the wall of the catheter and introduce the catheter in the insertion direction; wherein each of said arms of said apparatus defines a cavity for accommodating a portion of the catheter, said cavity extending along each of said arms of said apparatus; wherein said projection of at least one of said arms extends from said end portion of said arm at a location that is spaced from an end of said arm; wherein said projection of at least one of said arms extends beyond the end of said arm; and wherein a portion of the forward surface of said projection extends from said end portion of said arm in a direction substantially parallel to the insertion axis.