Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for providing a guidance means to insert an object into a very small opening, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; and a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for providing a guidance means to insert an object into a very small opening, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; and a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidance device as recited in claim 1, and additionally, a handle means, said handle means being suitably affixed to said body means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
A guidance device for guiding an umbilical catheter into an umbilical artery, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration, said body means having a first end and a second end; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said first end of said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an umbilical artery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
A guidance device for guiding an umbilical catheter into an umbilical artery, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration, said body means having a first end and a second end; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said first end of said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an umbilical artery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3 and additionally, a handle means, said handle means being suitably affixed to said second end of said body means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said body means with affixed plurality of nibs, bulbous means, and thin tapered lead tips has a passageway therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidance means for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein said passageway is tapered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are monolithically formed contiguous with said body means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are separated by a slit-like opening between each adjacent pair of said nibs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 8 and additionally, an inverted tear-drop-like opening at the upper portion of each said slit-like opening where said nibs are monolithically and integrally formed contiguous with said body means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A guidance means for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are formed separately and individually affixed to said body means.