Catheter system

Claim 1

A catheter system, which comprises; a one-piece cannula defining a continuously extending lumen for accommodating fluid flow, said cannula having an open proximal end, an open distal end, and an opening intermediate said open ends communicating with said lumen, said open distal end of said cannula accommodating cleansing and sterilization thereof; an obturator adapted by size and configuration for fully occluding and filling said lumen, slidably inserted in the lumen, said obturator having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end being slidably insertable in said lumen through the open distal end thereof, said obturator being movable in said lumen between a first position wherein its proximal end extends proximally of said intermediate opening in which position said obturator fully occludes and fills said lumen for blocking fluid flow between said opening and said proximal end of said cannula, and a second position wherein the obturator proximal end terminates distally of said opening in which position fluid flow through said distal end of said cannula is blocked and fluid flow between said opening and said proximal end of said cannula is unobstructed; a valveless member integral with said cannula at said intermediate opening, said member and said cannula thereby defining an integral construction, said member having a member lumen therein having a first end communicating with said opening and a second end open to the outside of the member, said member lumen being tulip-shaped and dimensioned for ready access to accommodate visually observable thorough mechanical cleansing and sterilization thereof as by an antiseptic soaked cotton tip applicator swab when said obturator is in said first position and fluid through said opening is blocked; said member lumen having a length to diameter ratio at the second end of less than 2:1; said member lumen having an axis perpendicular to the cannula lumen; and removable means for closing the second open end of said member lumen.