Abstract: A flushing device comprises a catheter guidewire flushing apparatus comprising a connector having an insertion port, an outlet port and a flushing port and a catheter having rails extending the length thereof. The invention allows a clinician to adjust the length of a catheter, to insert the catheter while flushing to maneuver the catheter through a tortuous blood vessel, and to easily remove the guidewire for safe disposal. The catheter can then be left in place in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A dual lumen vascular catheter with expanding side portal includes a cylindrical tubing with one or more lumens inside. An effusion portal is located on the side of the tubing at an end of one lumen. The portal is oval-shaped, with an open-ended slit connected to an end of the oval opening. The slit is thereby expandable, allowing for vacuum relief during aspiration of blood in the event that the catheter is lodged with the portal pressed against an inner wall of the vein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining accurately, both during and after insertion, the full length position of catheters (including implanted ports), tubes and placement guidewires within biological tissue is disclosed including a transmitter/detector unit having an alternating current (AC) radio-frequency (RF) transmitter with antenna and a radio signal transmitter in the form of a continuous or segmented fine wire receiving antenna situated along the full length of the catheter, guidewire, and implanted port assemblies. The guidewire apparatus also includes a tip antenna. These antennae are connected by a removable clip to a wide-band RF detector circuit, situated within the transmitter/detector unit. The RF transmitter/detector circuit provides a voltage output that is a direct function of the relative spatial proximity of the transmitting antenna. This proximity is displayed visually to the operator using a sequential linear LED array whose sensitivity is controlled by a gain control knob.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining accurately, both during and after insertion, the full length position of catheters (including implanted ports (64)), tubes (30) and placement guidewires (22) within biological tissue is disclosed including a transmitter/detector unit (2) having an alternating current (AC) radio-frequency (RF) transmitter with antenna (14), and a radio signal transmitter in the form of a continuous or segmented fine wire receiving antenna (28, 32, 74) situated along the full length of the catheter, guidewire, and implanted port assemblies (22, 30, 64). The guidewire apparatus also includes a tip antenna. These antennae are connected by a removable clip (18) to a wide-band RF detector circuit, situated within the transmitter/detector unit (2). The RF transmitter/detector circuit provides a voltage output that is a direct function of the relative spatial proximity of the transmitting antenna.

Abstract: A flushing device comprises a catheter guidewire flushing apparatus comprising a connector having an insertion port, an outlet port and a flushing port. The invention allows a clinician to adjust the length of a catheter, to insert the catheter while flushing to maneuver the catheter through a tortuous blood vessel, and to easily remove the guidewire for safe disposal. The catheter can then be left in place in the blood vessel.