US5531701A — Over-the-needle catheter

Claim 1

Independent Claim 98 words

A catheter insertable into an anatomical structure utilizing an introducer, said catheter comprising: a) an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end; b) an abutment member formed proximate the distal end of said catheter body so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the distal end of said catheter body relative to said introducer; and c) whereby abutment of said catheter body abutment member and the introducer portion prevents the catheter body from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse during insertion of the catheter.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 98 words

A catheter insertable into an anatomical structure utilizing an introducer, said catheter comprising: a) an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end; b) an abutment member formed proximate the distal end of said catheter body so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the distal end of said catheter body relative to said introducer; and c) whereby abutment of said catheter body abutment member and the introducer portion prevents the catheter body from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse during insertion of the catheter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 83 words

The catheter as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a) a tip formed at the distal end of said catheter body; b) a common lumen formed through said catheter body and said tip; c) a first opening to said lumen formed at said tip; d) a second opening to said lumen formed in said catheter body proximate said tip; and e) wherein said second opening facilitates fluid flow through said lumen in the event that fluid flow through said first opening is mitigated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said second opening comprises a slit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein said slit is between approximately 0.1 inch and approximately 0.50 inch in length.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein said slit is approximately 0.25 inch in length.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said second opening has a closed configuration wherein fluid flow therethrough is inhibited and has an open configuration wherein fluid flow therethrough is facilitated.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 33 words

The catheter as recited in claim 6 wherein said second opening is configured to facilitate fluid flow therethrough when a pressure differential of at least approximately 2 psi exists across the second opening.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said second opening is less than approximately 0.25 inch from said first opening.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises a harder material than said body.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises a material which softens upon contact with moisture.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises a material which softens at approximately body temperature.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 14 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises a radiopaque material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 12 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises metal.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein said abutment member comprises an annular abutment shoulder formed within said body.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

The catheter as recited in claim 2 wherein said tip comprises a lumen of a smaller diameter than that of the lumen formed through said catheter body.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 134 words

A catheter/introducer assembly comprising: a) an introducer comprising: i) a needle having a distal end; ii) a sharp tip formed at the distal end of said needle; iii) an abutment surface formed proximate the distal end of said needle; b) a catheter comprising: i) an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end; ii) an abutment member formed at a distal end of said catheter body so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the distal end of said catheter body relative to said introducer; and c) wherein said abutment member of said catheter body abuts said abutment surface of said introducer so as to prevent the catheter body from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse during insertion of the catheter.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 134 words

A catheter/introducer assembly comprising: a) an introducer comprising: i) a needle having a distal end; ii) a sharp tip formed at the distal end of said needle; iii) an abutment surface formed proximate the distal end of said needle; b) a catheter comprising: i) an elongate flexible catheter body having a distal end; ii) an abutment member formed at a distal end of said catheter body so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which inhibits proximal movement of the distal end of said catheter body relative to said introducer; and c) wherein said abutment member of said catheter body abuts said abutment surface of said introducer so as to prevent the catheter body from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse during insertion of the catheter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 72 words

The catheter/introducer assembly as recited in claim 16 further comprising: a) a lumen formed through said catheter body; b) a first opening formed in said lumen proximate the distal end of said catheter body; c) a second opening formed in said catheter body distal of said first opening; and d) wherein said second opening facilitates fluid flow through said lumen in the event that fluid flow through said first opening is mitigated.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 64 words

A method for inserting a catheter into an anatomical structure utilizing an introducer, said method comprising the steps of: a) supporting a distal end of the catheter in a manner which prevents the distal end of the catheter from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to cause collapsing thereof; and b) urging the distal end of the catheter into the anatomical structure.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 64 words

A method for inserting a catheter into an anatomical structure utilizing an introducer, said method comprising the steps of: a) supporting a distal end of the catheter in a manner which prevents the distal end of the catheter from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to cause collapsing thereof; and b) urging the distal end of the catheter into the anatomical structure.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising the step of discontinuing support of the distal end of the catheter after the step of urging the distal end of the catheter into the anatomical structure.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for inserting a catheter into an anatomical structure, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a catheter installed upon an introducer, said catheter having an abutment member formed proximate a distal end thereof so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which prevents the catheter from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse the catheter during insertion thereof; b) inserting the catheter and introducer into the anatomical structure; and c) removing the introducer from the catheter while maintaining the catheter within the anatomical structure.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for inserting a catheter into an anatomical structure, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing a catheter installed upon an introducer, said catheter having an abutment member formed proximate a distal end thereof so as to abut a portion of the introducer in a manner which prevents the catheter from being pushed proximally over the introducer so as to collapse the catheter during insertion thereof; b) inserting the catheter and introducer into the anatomical structure; and c) removing the introducer from the catheter while maintaining the catheter within the anatomical structure.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for infusing and withdrawing fluids for therapeutic and diagnostic medical procedures, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a catheter into a vessel, the catheter having a first opening formed therein for facilitating fluid communication between the catheter and the vessel; b) flowing fluid through said catheter via the first opening; and c) in response to a pressure differential of at least approximately 2 psi across a second opening in said catheter, flowing fluid through the second opening formed in said catheter, fluid not otherwise flowing substantially through said second opening.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 94 words

A method for infusing and withdrawing fluids for therapeutic and diagnostic medical procedures, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing a catheter into a vessel, the catheter having a first opening formed therein for facilitating fluid communication between the catheter and the vessel; b) flowing fluid through said catheter via the first opening; and c) in response to a pressure differential of at least approximately 2 psi across a second opening in said catheter, flowing fluid through the second opening formed in said catheter, fluid not otherwise flowing substantially through said second opening.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-02	2000-01-01	2000-07-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-02	2004-01-01	2004-07-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-02	2008-01-01	2008-07-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Over-the-needle catheter

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