Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A catheter introducer assembly comprising: a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending there between; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending there between, the lumen of the tube being in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter; an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end the needle being axially disposable in the catheter lumen; an object connected to the proximal end of the needle, the object partially occluding the lumen of the tube and being slidable in the tube such that squeezing the tube adjacent the object causes the object to move axially in the lumen of the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A catheter introducer assembly comprising: a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending there between; a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending there between, the lumen of the tube being in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter; an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end the needle being axially disposable in the catheter lumen; an object connected to the proximal end of the needle, the object partially occluding the lumen of the tube and being slidable in the tube such that squeezing the tube adjacent the object causes the object to move axially in the lumen of the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter introducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a stylet connecting the proximal end of the needle to the object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The catheter introducer assembly of claim I further comprising a retractor slidably mounted on the tube and mechanically linked to the object, such that the retractor squeezes the tube adjacent the object and such that sliding the retractor axially along the tube causes the object to slide axially in the lumen of the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter introducer assembly of claim 3 further comprising means for preventing the retractor from sliding in a distal direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a shield for shielding the distal end of the needle, the shield being mounted on the tube proximal of the distal end of the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the object is a bead.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The catheter assembly of claim 3 wherein the retractor comprises means for confining the object such that the object moves axially along the lumen of the tube when the retractor moves axially along the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter assembly of claim 7 wherein the means for confining comprise a plurality of ribs for squeezing the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter assembly of claim 3 wherein the retractor is adapted to permit the object to slide in a proximal direction but not in a distal direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter assembly of claim 8 wherein the ribs have arcuate surfaces facing in a proximal direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter assembly of claim 8 wherein the ribs have angular surfaces facing in a distal direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the object is provided with at least one groove to facilitate fluid flow through the tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6 wherein the bead is provided with at least one groove to facilitate fluid flow through the tube.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of retracting a catheter introducer needle, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the catheter introducer needle to an object; enclosing the object within a flexible tube such that the object is axially slidable in the tube; squeezing the tube adjacent the object; imparting a substantially axial force to the tube adjacent the object such that the force is transmitted to the object, thereby moving the object axially along the tube and retracting the introducer needle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of retracting a catheter introducer needle, the method comprising the steps of: connecting the catheter introducer needle to an object; enclosing the object within a flexible tube such that the object is axially slidable in the tube; squeezing the tube adjacent the object; imparting a substantially axial force to the tube adjacent the object such that the force is transmitted to the object, thereby moving the object axially along the tube and retracting the introducer needle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of bringing the tip of the needle into alignment with a rigid shield on retraction of the needle.