Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A vascular wire guide introducer comprising: a tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, and first and second adjacent lumens extending longitudinally therein, and a cylindrical outer surface with a uniform outer diameter, said tubular member also having a tapered outer surface extending proximally from said distal end and centered with respect to said first lumen, said second lumen having an opening in said tapered outer surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A vascular wire guide introducer comprising: a tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, and first and second adjacent lumens extending longitudinally therein, and a cylindrical outer surface with a uniform outer diameter, said tubular member also having a tapered outer surface extending proximally from said distal end and centered with respect to said first lumen, said second lumen having an opening in said tapered outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The introducer of claim 1 further comprising a wire guide positioned in said second lumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The introducer of claim 2 further comprising a hollow cannula positioned in said first lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The introducer of claim 3 wherein said cannula comprises a metal hypodermic needle having a flashback chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The introducer of claim 3 further comprising a hub attached about said proximal end of said tubular member and having a first passage communicating with said first lumen of said tubular member, said first lumen and said first passage being substantially collinear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The introducer of claim 5 wherein said hub further includes a second passage communicating with said second lumen, said second passage being inclined with respect to said first passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The introducer of claim 1 wherein said tubular member comprises a semi-rigid plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The introducer of claim 7 wherein said semi-rigid plastic material comprises a radiopaque polyetetrafluoroethylene material.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of introducing a wire guide into a blood vessel of a patient comprising the steps of: providing a tubular member having first and second adjacent lumens extending longitudinally therein and a cylindrical outer surface with a uniform outer diameter; providing said tubular member with a tapered outer surface extending proximally from a distal end thereof and centered with respect to said first lumen, said second lumen having an opening in said tapered outer surface; providing and inserting a hollow needle through said first lumen; providing and inserting a wire guide in said second lumen; inserting said needle and said tubular member into a blood vessel of a patient; and advancing said wire guide in said second lumen into said blood vessel when said needle and said tubular member have been inserted into said blood vessel.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of introducing a wire guide into a blood vessel of a patient comprising the steps of: providing a tubular member having first and second adjacent lumens extending longitudinally therein and a cylindrical outer surface with a uniform outer diameter; providing said tubular member with a tapered outer surface extending proximally from a distal end thereof and centered with respect to said first lumen, said second lumen having an opening in said tapered outer surface; providing and inserting a hollow needle through said first lumen; providing and inserting a wire guide in said second lumen; inserting said needle and said tubular member into a blood vessel of a patient; and advancing said wire guide in said second lumen into said blood vessel when said needle and said tubular member have been inserted into said blood vessel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of claim further comprising the step of removing said tubular member and said needle when said wire guide has been advanced into said blood vessel.