The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2001
Thor R. Halseth, Simi Valley, CA (US);
Robert T. McWethy, Ventura, CA (US);
John Barker, Ventura, CA (US);
MDC Investment Holdings, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A device is provided for inserting medical instruments, such as pacemaker leads, into a patient. The device includes a flexible needle with a sharpened tip surrounded by a sheath and catheter. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the needle tip is enclosed within the sheath. A method for inserting a medical instrument, such as a pacemaker lead, is also provided, in which the needle is inserted into a patient, followed by the sheath and catheter. The needle is then retracted so that the sharpened tip is enclosed within the sheath. The needle remains in the sheath as the sheath and catheter are curved into alignment with a blood vessel and advanced through the blood vessel. The needle and sheath are then pulled out, and a pacemaker lead or other instrument is fed through the catheter and into the vessel.