Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a two-step introduction assembly for implanting an introducer catheter within a patient to provide a path for introduction of a primary device, whereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, the assembly including a needle for venipuncture and a peelable introducer catheter over the needle having at least one longitudinal rupture means for substantially its entire length along which the catheter may be ruptured, the improvement comprising: (a) a slidable sleeve snuggly engaging the introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end and slidably mounted about the proximal end of the catheter to protect the catheter from inadvertent separation along the rutpure means and being slidable to the distal end of said catheter tube under the influence of manual disruption of the catheter tube along the rupture line from the proximal end, whereby the introducer catheter tube may be discarded after disruption along the rupture line while the sleeve remains in position on the primary device as a securing site; and (b) a securing ring snuggly engaging the introducer catheter and needle at the proximal end of the catheter and needle, said ring being affixed to said catheter and needle so as to prevent rotation of the catheter with respect to the needle during implantation and being sufficiently weak that it may be broken under the influence of manually applied pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a two-step introduction assembly for implanting an introducer catheter within a patient to provide a path for introduction of a primary device, whereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, the assembly including a needle for venipuncture and a peelable introducer catheter over the needle having at least one longitudinal rupture means for substantially its entire length along which the catheter may be ruptured, the improvement comprising: (a) a slidable sleeve snuggly engaging the introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end and slidably mounted about the proximal end of the catheter to protect the catheter from inadvertent separation along the rutpure means and being slidable to the distal end of said catheter tube under the influence of manual disruption of the catheter tube along the rupture line from the proximal end, whereby the introducer catheter tube may be discarded after disruption along the rupture line while the sleeve remains in position on the primary device as a securing site; and (b) a securing ring snuggly engaging the introducer catheter and needle at the proximal end of the catheter and needle, said ring being affixed to said catheter and needle so as to prevent rotation of the catheter with respect to the needle during implantation and being sufficiently weak that it may be broken under the influence of manually applied pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the slidable sleeve has two or more reduced parameter sections forming channels suitable for engaging sutures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The assembly of claims 1 or 2 in which the proximal end of the introducer is split apart to provide grasping means for the application of force to break said ring and to disrupt said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
225 words
An introducer catheter assembly for the two-step introduction of a primary device into the vascular system by providing an assembly for implantation of the introducer catheter into a patient to provide a path for introduction of the primary device thereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, the assembly comprising: (a) a needle suitable for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end telescopically disposed over said needle and slidably engaging said needle; (c) rupture means extending longitudinally substantially the entire length of said introducer catheter to provide an area along which the catheter may be disrupted; (d) grasping means disposed on the proximal end of said catheter; (e) a securing means to secure said catheter to said needle so as to prevent rotation of said catheter with respect to said needle during implantation and being breakable to permit withdrawal of the needle from the catheter when desired; and (f) a slidable sleeve engaging the catheter tube and slidably mounted about the proximal ends of the catheter tube to protect the catheter tube from inadvertently separating along the rupture line, and being slidable under the influence of manual disruption of the catheter tube along the rutpure line, whereby the catheter tube may be discarded after disruption along the rupture line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
An introducer catheter assembly for the two-step introduction of a primary device into the vascular system by providing an assembly for implantation of the introducer catheter into a patient to provide a path for introduction of the primary device thereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, the assembly comprising: (a) a needle suitable for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end telescopically disposed over said needle and slidably engaging said needle; (c) rupture means extending longitudinally substantially the entire length of said introducer catheter to provide an area along which the catheter may be disrupted; (d) grasping means disposed on the proximal end of said catheter; (e) a securing means to secure said catheter to said needle so as to prevent rotation of said catheter with respect to said needle during implantation and being breakable to permit withdrawal of the needle from the catheter when desired; and (f) a slidable sleeve engaging the catheter tube and slidably mounted about the proximal ends of the catheter tube to protect the catheter tube from inadvertently separating along the rupture line, and being slidable under the influence of manual disruption of the catheter tube along the rutpure line, whereby the catheter tube may be discarded after disruption along the rupture line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said slidable sleeve has two or more channels suitable for receiving sutures therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
An introducer catheter through which a primary device can be inserted into a lumen comprising: (a) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) said introducer catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally thereby facilitating disruption of said tube along substantially its entire length; and (c) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed on the outer surface of said introducer catheter tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
An introducer catheter through which a primary device can be inserted into a lumen comprising: (a) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end; (b) said introducer catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally thereby facilitating disruption of said tube along substantially its entire length; and (c) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed on the outer surface of said introducer catheter tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The introducer catheter of claim 6 wherein said introducer catheter tube has at least one longitudinal mechanical score line for substantially its entire length along which the catheter may be disrupted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The introducer catheter of claim 6 wherein said introducer catheter tube has been extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which the catheter tube may be disrupted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An introducer catheter through which a primary device can be inserted into a lumen comprising: (a) an introducer catheter tube; (b) said introducer catheter tube having a distal end and a proximal end being extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which the catheter tube may be disrupted; and (c) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed on the outer surface of said introducer catheter tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
An introducer catheter through which a primary device can be inserted into a lumen comprising: (a) an introducer catheter tube; (b) said introducer catheter tube having a distal end and a proximal end being extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which the catheter tube may be disrupted; and (c) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed on the outer surface of said introducer catheter tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The introducer catheter of claims 6, 7, 8, or 9 wherein said introducer catheter tube is beveled at the distal end such that the smallest outside diameter of said catheter tube is at the extreme distal end of said catheter tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The introducer catheter of claim 5 wherein said introducer catheter tube is partially split apart at the proximal end to provide tabs by which said introducer catheter tube may be grasped and peeled apart by manual manipulation thereby causing the slidable sleeve to move towards the distal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The introducer catheter of claims 6, 7, 8 or 9 wherein said introducer catheter tube is partially split apart at the proximal end to provide tabs by which said introducer catheter tube may be grasped and peeled apart by manual manipulation thereby causing the slidable sleeve to move towards the distal end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
97 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said introducer catheter tube being extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which said catheter tube may be disrupted; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter near the proximal end of said introducer catheter to prevent the premature splitting apart of the introducer catheter tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said introducer catheter tube being extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which said catheter tube may be disrupted; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter near the proximal end of said introducer catheter to prevent the premature splitting apart of the introducer catheter tube.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
124 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said introducer catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally thereby facilitating disruption of said tube along substantially its entire length; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter tube near the proximal end of said introducer catheter tube to prevent the premature disruption of the tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
124 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said introducer catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally thereby facilitating disruption of said tube along substantially its entire length; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter tube near the proximal end of said introducer catheter tube to prevent the premature disruption of the tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The introducer catheter grouping of claim 14 wherein said introducer catheter tube has at least one longitudinal mechanical score line for substantially its entire length along which the catheter may be disrupted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
141 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally and which has been extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which the catheter tube may be disrupted; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter tube near the proximal end of said introducer catheter tube to prevent the premature disruption of the tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
141 words
An introducer catheter grouping comprising: (a) a hollow needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end of generally constant diameter disposed telescopically over said needle and extending from the proximal end thereof; (c) said catheter tube being constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally and which has been extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially its entire length along which the catheter tube may be disrupted; and (d) a slidable sleeve telescopically disposed over said introducer catheter tube near the proximal end of said introducer catheter tube to prevent the premature disruption of the tube, said sleeve being slidable towards the distal end by force exerted upon it through said introducer catheter tube as it is disrupted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The introducer catheter grouping of claims 13, 14, 15 or 16 wherein said introducer catheter tube is beveled at the distal end such that the smallest outside diameter of said catheter tube is at the extreme distal end of said catheter tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The introducer catheter of claim 17 wherein said introducer catheter tube is partially split apart at the proximal end to provide tabs by which said introducer catheter may be grasped and peeled apart by manual manipulation thereby causing the slidable sleeve to move towards the distal end.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The introducer catheter of claims 13, 14, 15 or 16 wherein said introducer catheter tube is partially split apart at the proximal end to provide tabs by which said introducer catheter tube may be grasped and peeled apart by manual manipulation thereby causing the slidable sleeve to move towards the distal end.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a two-step introduction assembly for implanting an introducer catheter within a patient to provide a path for introduction of a primary device, whereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, comprising: (a) a needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end telescopically disposed over said needle and slidably engaging said needle; (c) rupture means extending longitudinally substantially the entire length of said introducer catheter to provide an area along which said catheter tube may be disrupted; (d) securing means to secure said catheter to said needle so as to prevent rotation of said catheter with respect to said needle during implantation and being breakable to permit withdrawal of the needle from the catheter when desired, said securing means comprising a heat shrink band located circumferentially around the proximal end of both said needle and said catheter tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a two-step introduction assembly for implanting an introducer catheter within a patient to provide a path for introduction of a primary device, whereby the introducer catheter may be removed and discarded while the primary device remains in operative position, comprising: (a) a needle for venipuncture; (b) an introducer catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end telescopically disposed over said needle and slidably engaging said needle; (c) rupture means extending longitudinally substantially the entire length of said introducer catheter to provide an area along which said catheter tube may be disrupted; (d) securing means to secure said catheter to said needle so as to prevent rotation of said catheter with respect to said needle during implantation and being breakable to permit withdrawal of the needle from the catheter when desired, said securing means comprising a heat shrink band located circumferentially around the proximal end of both said needle and said catheter tube.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The introducer catheter assembly of claim 20 wherein said rupture means is at least one longitudinal mechanical score line along substantially the entire length of said introducer catheter tube.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The introducer catheter assembly of claim 20 or 21 wherein said introducer catheter tube has grasping means disposed on the distal end thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 20 wherein said introducer catheter tube has been extruded to provide at least one longitudinal line of reduced wall thickness for substantially the entire length along which said catheter tube may be disrupted.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly of claim 20 wherein said introducer catheter tube is constructed of axially oriented polymeric material which is oriented so as to weaken the tube longitudinally thereby facilitating disruption of said catheter tube along substantially its entire length.