Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A flexible spring guide-catheter including an inner wall portion having proximal and distal ends and formed from stainless steel wire as a continuously wound lumen-defining helical spring with the helices thereof in contact with each other, and an uninterrupted externally smooth outer wall portion having proximal and distal ends and formed from an inert halogenated hydrocarbon so applied around said helical spring that its inner surface is firmly bonded thereto and its outer surface remains smooth, the distal end of said outer wall portion extending beyond the distal end of said inner wall portion and shaped to define a hollow tip, said hollow tip being provided with at least one perforation to effect open communication between the exterior and interior thereof, the proximal end of said hollow tip being closely engaged around the distal end of said inner wall portion whereby to prevent the said distal end of said inner wall portion from becoming axially elongated (the proximal portion of exterior and interior thereof).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A flexible spring guide-catheter including an inner wall portion having proximal and distal ends and formed from stainless steel wire as a continuously wound lumen-defining helical spring with the helices thereof in contact with each other, and an uninterrupted externally smooth outer wall portion having proximal and distal ends and formed from an inert halogenated hydrocarbon so applied around said helical spring that its inner surface is firmly bonded thereto and its outer surface remains smooth, the distal end of said outer wall portion extending beyond the distal end of said inner wall portion and shaped to define a hollow tip, said hollow tip being provided with at least one perforation to effect open communication between the exterior and interior thereof, the proximal end of said hollow tip being closely engaged around the distal end of said inner wall portion whereby to prevent the said distal end of said inner wall portion from becoming axially elongated (the proximal portion of exterior and interior thereof).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The spring guide-catheter of claim 1 in which said hollow tip is preformed into a curvilinear shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The spring guide-catheter of claim 1 additionally including a wire stylette freely movable into and out oF the lumen of said inner wall portion, and having a length such that when fully inserted into said spring guide-catheter the proximal end of said wire stylette extends proximally beyond the proximal end of said spring guide-catheter a distance sufficient to permit its manipulation from such proximal location, at least the distal end portion of said wire stylette being preformed into a curvilinear shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
The spring guide-catheter of claim 1 additionally including; a wire stylette freely movable within the lumen of said inner wall portion and having a length such that when fully inserted into said spring guide-catheter the proximal end of said wire stylette extends proximally beyond the proximal end of said spring guide-catheter a distance sufficient to permit its manipulation from such proximal location; a first manipulative handle provided with an axial bore to permit free passage of said wire stylette therethrough and removably attached to the proximal end of said spring guide-catheter; and a separate manipulative handle removably attached to the proximal end of said wire stylette proximally of said first manipulative handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The construction of claim 1 having a length of from about 2.5 to about 10.0 cm. whereby to be capable without physical change for use as a tube for intravenous feeding purposes, and additionally including a fitting rigidly affixed to the proximal end thereof for operative connection to a liquid supply source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spring guide-catheter of claim 5 wherein said outer wall portion terminates at the distal end of said inner wall portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The intra-venous feeding tube of claim 5 wherein the distal end of said outer wall portion is cut off at an angle distally of said inner wall portion.