Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Flexible catheter guide
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-04
2001-06-12
Seidel, Richard K. (Department: 3763)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Flexible catheter guide
C604S170020, C604S533000, C604S164070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245029
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stylet assembly including a stylet, or stylet body, used for insertion of a catheter into the blood vessel and to a connector for holding a stylet and connecting it to a catheter. More particularly, it relates to a stylet to be inserted into a lumen of a venous catheter for total parenteral nutrition to give a desired rigidity to the catheter and to a connector for holding the stylet in the lumen thereof, which makes it possible to allow a medical solution to flow into the catheter through the lumen thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When inserting a venous catheter for total parenteral nutrition or an endotracheal tube, it is general practice to insert a metal wire or a stylet into a catheter to give some rigidity to the catheter or tube since such a catheter is too soft to insert into the blood vessel or trachea without causing bending of the catheter. The stylet is bent into a desired shape as occasion demands. For example, in case of intratracheal intubation, the stylet is bent into a shape corresponding to the shape of respiratory tract of a patient whose larynx being expanded.
In general, however, the stylet is of a metal such as stainless steel and has an acute-angled end. Thus, the stylet of the prior art has disadvantages that blood vessel walls or trachea walls may be injured by the distal end of the stylet protruded from the catheter during insertion of the catheter. Further, it is occasionally required to use the catheter filled with heparinized saline to perform priming operations. In such a case, it is necessary to remove the stylet from the catheter to fill the catheter with heparinized saline. In addition, it requires a great deal of skill to insert the stylet of the prior art into a correct position of the superior vena cava through the subclavian vein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stylet assembly which is prevented from injuring blood vessels.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stylet assembly which facilitates correct and safe insertion a catheter to a desired position with ease.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stylet connector which facilitates priming operations without removal of a stylet from a catheter.
According to the present invention, there is provided a stylet assembly comprising a stylet body and a connector for connecting the stylet to a catheter, said stylet body being composed of a piece of wire bent double and twisted together to form a rounded end serving as a distal end at one end, said connector having a stylet body connecting portion for holding a proximal end of said stylet body and means for fixedly holding the catheter to prevent the catheter from slipping from the stylet during use.
In a preferred embodiment, the stylet body is bent at a distal portion at a certain angle to allow the catheter to be correctly inserted into a desired place in the blood vessel. In this case, the connector may be provided with a certain mark indicating a bending direction of the stylet body.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a connector comprising a tubular body having at one end a stylet body connecting portion and at the other end an inflow port for medical solution, said stylet body connecting portion holding the stylet body and providing passages for flow of a medical solution from a lumen thereof without removal of the stylet when performing the priming operation.
The stylet connector further includes a sleeve rotatably mounted on the distal end of the tubular body to form a means for fixing a catheter. Preferably, the stylet body connecting portion is provided integrally and coaxially with the tubular body.
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Fujita Nozomu
Tsujikawa Hajime
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Nissho Corporation
Seidel Richard K.
Thompson Michael M
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