Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for expanding the diameter of a blood vessel of a patient comprising: a cannula for passing fluid into and out of a blood vessel of a patient, said cannula having a proximal end and a distal end defining a predetermined length and diameter, formed of a braided construction which allows the length of said cannula to become longer and the diameter of said cannula to become narrower when tension is applied along the longitudinal axis of said cannula; means disposed adjacent said distal end of said cannula for puncturing the blood vessel of a patient to permit insertion of said cannula into said blood vessel; a removable sheath disposed over said cannula when tension is applied thereto such that the length of said cannula is longer and the diameter is narrower, whereby said sheath maintains the tensioned length and diameter of said cannula during insertion into the patient, whereby said cannula body is allowed to return to its predetermined length and diameter upon removal of said sheath from said cannula.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
172 words
An apparatus for expanding the diameter of a blood vessel of a patient comprising: a cannula for passing fluid into and out of a blood vessel of a patient, said cannula having a proximal end and a distal end defining a predetermined length and diameter, formed of a braided construction which allows the length of said cannula to become longer and the diameter of said cannula to become narrower when tension is applied along the longitudinal axis of said cannula; means disposed adjacent said distal end of said cannula for puncturing the blood vessel of a patient to permit insertion of said cannula into said blood vessel; a removable sheath disposed over said cannula when tension is applied thereto such that the length of said cannula is longer and the diameter is narrower, whereby said sheath maintains the tensioned length and diameter of said cannula during insertion into the patient, whereby said cannula body is allowed to return to its predetermined length and diameter upon removal of said sheath from said cannula.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a connector disposed adjacent said proximal end of said cannula; and tubing connected to said connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cannula is coated with a substance to minimize leakage of fluid from said cannula.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means disposed within said cannula for preventing fluid flow through said cannula while it is being inserted within said blood vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for preventing fluid flow comprises a balloon catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said balloon catheter is removable from said cannula.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for puncturing is integral with said balloon catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sheath has a tab for initiating removal of said sheath from said cannula, said tab being disposed on said proximal end of said sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said sheath contains a score line, wherein said score line permits said sheath to be peeled away from said cannula body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sheath contains two substantially parallel score lines extending from said proximal end of said sheath adjacent said tab toward said distal end of said sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for puncturing includes a sharp piercing tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for puncturing extends beyond said cannula.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cannulating a blood vessel of a patient comprising: causing a cannula to be tensioned along its longitudinal axis into a narrow state; disposing a sheath around said tensioned cannula to maintain said narrow state; puncturing the blood vessel and simultaneously inserting said cannula into said patient through said skin puncture; removing said sheath from said cannula thereby allowing said cannula to expand back to a pre-tensioned state; and passing fluid through said cannula.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of cannulating a blood vessel of a patient comprising: causing a cannula to be tensioned along its longitudinal axis into a narrow state; disposing a sheath around said tensioned cannula to maintain said narrow state; puncturing the blood vessel and simultaneously inserting said cannula into said patient through said skin puncture; removing said sheath from said cannula thereby allowing said cannula to expand back to a pre-tensioned state; and passing fluid through said cannula.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: inserting a balloon catheter into said cannula prior to puncturing the blood vessel and inserting said cannula into said blood vessel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: inflating said balloon catheter after removing said sheath to assist said cannula in returning to its pre-tensioned state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: deflating said balloon catheter; and removing said balloon catheter to permit fluid flow through said cannula.