US4832687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Subcutaneous tunneling instrument and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-12-31
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Granted: 1989-05-23
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Expires: 2007-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A novel subcutaneous tunnelling instrument and method for placing a subcutaneous catheter between two remote incisions in a patient, comprising making a subcutaneous tunnel by pushing a rod having an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threaded upon male threads disposed at the distal end thereof into one incision and subcutaneously tunnelling to and out through the second incision, removing the bullet-shaped tip from the distal end of the rod, sliding the open end of a catheter over the male threads disposed at the distal end of the rod until the catheter abuts the rod, thereafter pulling the distal end of the rod back into the second incision and through the subcutaneous tunnel to and through the first incision, and thereafter removing the open end of the catheter from the male threads at the distal end of the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray C. Smith, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A subcutaneous tunnelling instrument for placing a subcutaneous catheter, comprising: a bendable rod of circular cross section, having a diameter equal to about the outer diameter of the catheter; male threads at the distal end portion of said rod, having a height between corresponding thread points equal to about the inner diameter of the catheter; and an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threadable upon said male threads.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A subcutaneous tunnelling instrument for placing a subcutaneous catheter, comprising: a bendable rod of circular cross section, having a diameter equal to about the outer diameter of the catheter; male threads at the distal end portion of said rod, having a height between corresponding thread points equal to about the inner diameter of the catheter; and an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threadable upon said male threads.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The subcutaneous tunnelling instrument of claim 1 wherein said bullet-shaped tip abuts said rod in flush relationship when fully threaded upon said male threads, said rod and said tip being of equal cross sectional area and diameter where abutted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The subcutaneous tunnelling instrument of claim 1 wherein said bullet-shaped top has a maximum cross sectional diameter greater than the diameter of said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The subcutaneous tunnelling instrument of claim 1 wherein said rod is stainless steel.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for the placement of a subcutaneous catheter between the two remote incisions in a patient, comprising the steps of: a. making a subcutaneous tunnel by pushing a bendable rod having an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threaded upon mail threads disposed at the distal end thereof into one incision and subcutaneously to and out through the second incision; b. removing the bullet-shaped tip from the distal end of the rod; c. sliding the open end of a catheter over the male threads disposed at the distal end of the rod until the catheter abuts the rod; d. after step c., pulling the distal end of the rod back into the second incision and through the subcutaneous tunnel to and through the first incision; and e. after step d., removing the open end of the catheter from the male threads.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for the placement of a subcutaneous catheter between the two remote incisions in a patient, comprising the steps of: a. making a subcutaneous tunnel by pushing a bendable rod having an elongated bullet-shaped tip removably threaded upon mail threads disposed at the distal end thereof into one incision and subcutaneously to and out through the second incision; b. removing the bullet-shaped tip from the distal end of the rod; c. sliding the open end of a catheter over the male threads disposed at the distal end of the rod until the catheter abuts the rod; d. after step c., pulling the distal end of the rod back into the second incision and through the subcutaneous tunnel to and through the first incision; and e. after step d., removing the open end of the catheter from the male threads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 wherein step a. includes a rod of circular cross section with a diameter equal to about the outer diameter of the catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step a. includes male threads having a height between corresponding thread points equal to about the inner diameter of the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein step a. includes an elongated bullet-shaped tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 wherein step a. includes an elongated bullet-shaped tip having a maximum cross-sectional diameter that is greater than the cross sectional diameter of the rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 8 wherein step a. includes an elongated bullet-shaped tip that abuts the rod in flush relationship when fully threaded upon the male threads, the rod and bullet-shaped tip being of equal cross sectional area and diameter where abutted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 5 wherein step a. comprises the substeps of receiving an open end of the catheter over the male threads until the catheter abuts rod 12 in flush relationship and thereafter securing the catheter in place with at least one suter ligature place about the circumference of the catheter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein step a. includes a stainless steel rod.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-22 | 1992-11-21 | 1993-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-22 | 1996-11-21 | 1997-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-22 | 2000-11-21 | 2001-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |