Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A catheter introducing device comprising: a needle, a catheter tube mounted over the needle and slidable on the needle; a needle hub, the needle comprising an elongate shaft, a needle tip, a first shaft portion adjoining the needle hub, a second shaft portion adjoining the tip and a third shaft portion between the first and second shaft portions, wherein the third shaft portion has an outside diameter large than the outside diameters of the first and second shaft portions, wherein the third shaft portion has an outside diameter larger than the outside diameters of the first and second shaft portions, wherein the outside diameter of the third shaft portion is such that the third shaft portion does not substantially hinder the passage of the needle and catheter tube into and out of a vessel, and further wherein the catheter tube is slidable on the shaft over the third shaft portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes a fourth shaft portion having a substantially conical configuration, the fourth shaft portion including a first end having a relatively large outside diameter which adjoins and forms part of the third shaft portion and a second end having a relatively small outside diameter which adjoins the first shaft portion, the fourth shaft portion providing a smooth and uniform transition from the first shaft portion to the third shaft portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the needle shaft includes a fifth shaft portion extending between the third shaft portion and the second shaft portion, the fifth portion having a substantially conical configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the third shaft portion is adapted to bear against the inside surface of the catheter and form a seal therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the third shaft portion is substantially closer to the tip of said needle than to said needle hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third shaft portion has an outside diameter about 0.004 inches larger than the outside diameter of the first shaft portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising: a needle tip cover, slidable on the shaft between a first position in which the needle tip is exposed and second position in which the needle tip is shielded by the needle tip cover, the needle tip cover comprising engagement means for engaging the third shaft portion thus preventing the needle tip cover from sliding off the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the needle tip cover comprises needle tip obstructing means for obstructing the needle tip when the needle tip cover is in the second position, so that when the needle tip cover is in the second position, the needle tip cover cannot be moved back to the first position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the needle obstructing means comprises a transverse wall which abuts the shaft when the needle tip cover is the first position and obstructs the needle tip when the needle tip cover is in the second position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the needle obstructing means comprises resilient means for automatically obstructing the needle tip when the needle tip cover is moved into the second position.