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:
Nov. 04, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 01, 2000
Jeffrey M. Vitullo, Pottstown, PA (US);
Carl Botterbusch, Wyomissing, PA (US);
Don Ulrich, Denver, PA (US);
Arrow International, Inc., Reading, PA (US);
Abstract
A stylet-free epidural catheter for insertion into a patient via a needle defining proximally a needle hub and distally a needle tip, includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body connecting the ends. The body defines therealong a stiffening section of a predetermined length disposed a predetermined distance proximally of the distal end such that it is located generally about an area where the body approaches a needle hub when the distal end approaches a needle tip. The stiffening section has a flexural stiffness at least twice that of the remainder of the body. A thread assist device to reduce buckling of a catheter being inserted through a needle, includes a body defining a TAD proximal end, a TAD distal end substantially spaced apart along a longitudinal axis from the TAD proximal end, and a TAD sidewall connecting the TAD ends. The TAD distal end is configured and dimensional for at least partial receipt and releasable maintenance within a hub of a needle, and the TAD sidewall is configured and dimensioned intermediate the TAD ends to enable axial sliding manipulation of the catheter through the needle hub by a user. The TAD ends substantially preclude non-axial movement of the catheter at the TAD ends and the TAD sidewall limits non-axial movement of the catheter between the TAD ends.