Apparatus and method for catheterization of blood vessels

Abstract

A catheter insertion device is disclosed herein. The device allows an operator to insert a catheter within a vessel with a single hand enabling the operator to keep a grip on the patient's skin and vessel. The device also includes a needle tip sheath that protects operators from accidental needle punctures by contaminated needles.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] This invention relates to medical catheters, more particularly to a catheter insertion device that protects users from accidental needle pricks, provides a gauge for multiple-attempt catheterizations, and provides a quick-taping system.[0003] 2. Prior Art[0004] Administering intravenous medications and agents or installing intravenous monitoring devices requires the catheterization of veins or arteries (generally "vessels"). Intravenous catheters (usually flexible catheters) must be inserted into a vessel and must be positioned properly to establish and maintain the proper fluid flow through the catheter that remains in the vessel. One type of catheter insertion device comprises a needle and a plastic catheter tube that slides over the needle so that the needle point protrudes through the catheter. Introduction of the catheter into the vessel requires manipulation and positioning of the vessel as well as precise placement of the needle and cath...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention has advantages over prior art devices. A protective sheath covers the needle tip when the needle has been removed from the catheter to prevent injuries to medical personnel. The design of the present device allows medical personnel to withdraw the needle from the catheter without moving the hand that holds the patient's skin and vessel. Therefore, the present invention decreases the risk of misstarts when withdrawing the needle from the catheter.

[0009] The present invention may be used in connection with a variety of intravenous catheters and needles, including catheters and needles of different sizes, lengths, and gauges. The catheter insertion device is constructed with a thumb ring that enables an operator to retract the catheter back to its starting point (when the locking member has not been engaged) after the catheter has been partially discharged using only a single hand. The present invention also incorporates a gauge positioned thereon to allow operators to safely identify the point at which it is safe and acceptable to return the device to a starting point. The present invention has an extended blood backflow chamber that allows multiple cannulation attempts without removing the catheter from a patient's tissue.

[0010] The present invention incorporates a fastening member that allows the catheter to be fixedly positioned (relative to the vessel in which the catheter has been positioned) within seconds after the catheter has successfully cannulated the blood vessel. A clamp may also be used to fluidly seal the catheter and prevent blood backflow from the vessel out through the catheter.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intravenous catheter device that can adapt to existing catheters and allow medical professionals to choose their own catheters.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an intravenous catheter device that allows an operator to secure the catheter immediately after vessel catheterization without releasing the grip on the patient's arm.

Problems solved by technology

This additional insertion of the catheter is difficult and contributes to misstarts, which require the withdrawal and reinsertion of the intravenous catheter into the vessel.

Thus, the patient may endure additional needle punctures.

Because the operator is not gripping the patient's skin and vein, the catheter may slip from within the vessel and cause a misstart.

The removal and placement of the needles is usually done haphazardly because operators are focused on preventing withdrawal of the catheter from the vessel.

Consequently, operators and assistants have been injured from needle pricks by contaminated needles.

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