Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A device (10) for selectively positioning and fixing a grommet (14) on a catheter (12), comprising: an elastic grommet (14) having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than an outer diameter of a catheter (12) on which the grommet (14) is to be selectively positioned and fixed therealong; and a positioning member (16) carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the member (16) including a portion (25) in contact with the grommet (14); wherein the portion (25) of the member (16) has an outer diameter at least equal to the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14); wherein the positioning member (16) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); and wherein the member (16) is capable of being split along at least the portion (25), so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A device (10) for selectively positioning and fixing a grommet (14) on a catheter (12), comprising: an elastic grommet (14) having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than an outer diameter of a catheter (12) on which the grommet (14) is to be selectively positioned and fixed therealong; and a positioning member (16) carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the member (16) including a portion (25) in contact with the grommet (14); wherein the portion (25) of the member (16) has an outer diameter at least equal to the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14); wherein the positioning member (16) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); and wherein the member (16) is capable of being split along at least the portion (25), so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member (16) further comprises at least one pull tab (46) for splitting at least the portion (25) of the positioning member (16).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member (16) is composed of molecular oriented PTFE.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member (16) is capable of being split along its entire length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the grommet (14) comprises means (18) for assisting securement of the grommet (14) adjacent to the body (20) of a patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the securement assisting means (18) comprises at least one ring (22).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the securement assisting means (18) comprises at least one wing (24).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the securement assisting means (18) comprises at least one shoulder (44).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the securement assisting means (18) comprises a DACRON cuff (23).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the grommet (14) is composed of silicone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the positioning member (16) comprises a sheath (28).
Claim 13
Independent Claim
189 words
A device (10) for selectively positioning and fixing a grommet (14) On a catheter (12), comprising: an elastic silicone grommet (14) having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than an outer diameter of a catheter (12) on which the grommet (14) is to be selectively positioned and fixed therealong, the grommet (14) comprising a pair of shoulders (44) for assisting securement of the grommet (14) adjacent to the body (20) of a patient; and a positioning sheath (28) carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the sheath (28) including a portion (25)in contact with the grommet (14), and the portion (25) having an outer diameter greater than the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14); wherein the positioning sheath (28) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); and wherein the sheath (28) is composed of molecular oriented PTFE and comprises a pair of pull tabs (46) for splitting the sheath (28) along its entire length so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 14
Independent Claim
189 words
A device (10) for selectively positioning and fixing a grommet (14) On a catheter (12), comprising: an elastic silicone grommet (14) having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than an outer diameter of a catheter (12) on which the grommet (14) is to be selectively positioned and fixed therealong, the grommet (14) comprising a pair of shoulders (44) for assisting securement of the grommet (14) adjacent to the body (20) of a patient; and a positioning sheath (28) carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the sheath (28) including a portion (25)in contact with the grommet (14), and the portion (25) having an outer diameter greater than the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14); wherein the positioning sheath (28) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); and wherein the sheath (28) is composed of molecular oriented PTFE and comprises a pair of pull tabs (46) for splitting the sheath (28) along its entire length so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
A catheterization apparatus (56), comprising: a catheter (12) having an outer diameter; an elastic grommet (14) encircling the catheter (12) and having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than the outer diameter of the catheter (12); and a positioning member (16) received on the catheter (12) and carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the member (16) including a portion (25) in contact with the grommet (14), and the portion (25) of the member (16) having an outer diameter at least equal to the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14), so that the member (16) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); wherein the member (16) is capable of being split along at least the portion (25), so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
152 words
A catheterization apparatus (56), comprising: a catheter (12) having an outer diameter; an elastic grommet (14) encircling the catheter (12) and having a predefined, unstressed interior diameter about no greater than the outer diameter of the catheter (12); and a positioning member (16) received on the catheter (12) and carrying the grommet (14) thereon, the member (16) including a portion (25) in contact with the grommet (14), and the portion (25) of the member (16) having an outer diameter at least equal to the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet (14), so that the member (16) and the grommet (14) are selectively positionable together along the catheter (12); wherein the member (16) is capable of being split along at least the portion (25), so as to release the grommet (14) from the member (16) and thereby fix the position of the grommet (14) at a selected position on the catheter (12).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the grommet (14) achieves an interference fit with the catheter (12) upon splitting of at least the portion (25) of the positioning member (16).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the grommet (14) achieves a compression fit with the catheter (12) upon splitting of at least the portion (25) of the positioning member (16).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the positioning member (16) comprises a sheath (28).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the positioning member (16) is composed of molecular oriented PTFE.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the positioning member (16) is capable of being split along its entire length.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the grommet (14) comprises means (18) for assisting securement of the grommet (14) adjacent to the body (20) of a patient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, further comprising an obturator (34) removably received in the catheter (12).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, wherein the positioning member (16) further comprises at least one pull tab (46) for splitting at least the portion (25) of the positioning member (16).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus (56) according to claim 13, characterized in that friction against or compression of the catheter (12) by the grommet (14) is the sole force preventing relative movement of the grommet (14) and the catheter (12) after splitting of the positioning member (16).