Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between a rigid needle and a hub. Once a vessel is entered as determined by blood entering a syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needle is occluded by compressing the compressible section with a thumb and a finger. Neither blood nor air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. An operator then can begin threading a guidewire down a divide which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring a lumen.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needed is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the divide which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needed is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the divide which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needed is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the divide which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needle is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood nor air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the device which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: An introducer needle assembly including a compressible section between the rigid needle and the hub. Once the vessel is entered as determined by blood entering the syringe, the compressible section of the introducer needle is occluded by compressing the section with the thumb and a finger. Neither blood for air can pass. Since the compressible section is in a flattened area it is easier to hold the needle while the syringe is unscrewed. The operator then can begin threading a guidewire down the device which is now easier to enter because blood is not coming out of the hub thus obscuring the lumen.

Abstract: A guide wire advancer (102) for advancing a guide wire (107) into a patient and including a body having a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first portion (110) adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire along the longitudinal axis using a finger and a thumb, and a second portion (108) connected to the first portion. The second portion (108) is adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire (107) along the longitudinal axis using only one finger or the thumb to bias the guide wire against a platform (164) of the second portion when advancing the guide wire (107). Multiple methods of advancing a guide wire using the advancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A multiple catheter assembly (100) including a first catheter (110) having a first proximal end region (112), a first distal end region (114) terminating in a first distal tip (116), and an outer surface (120) defining at least a first lumen (122) extending longitudinally therethrough between a first distal and a first proximal opening. The assembly (100) also includes a second catheter (130) having a second proximal end region (132), a second distal end region (134) terminating in a second distal tip (136), and a second outer surface (140) defining at least a second lumen (142) extending longitudinally therethrough between a second distal and a second proximal opening. The first (122) and second (142) lumens are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A vascular guidewire introducer device (10) having a needle (52), a bulb (16), and a valve subassembly (100) through which a guidewire (14) is insertable for vascular guidewire insertion into a blood vessel (12) of a patient. The valve subassembly (100) includes a proximal fitting (102), a proximal cap (106), and a valve arrangement (104) disposed within a valve seat (118) defined by one of the fitting and the cap. The valve arrangement includes distal and proximal disc-shaped valve members (122,126) having centered slits (124,128) therethrough, and a spacer (130) disposed between the valve members. A method is disclosed for precisely centering the slits of the valve members during assembly and for retaining the valve members in their precisely centered positions in the valve seat. The valve arrangement permits use with a wide range of guidewire diameters.

Abstract: A clamp (110) for releasably clamping a catheter, including a body having a first portion (112), a second portion (122), and a hinge (132) connecting the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion is disposed to face the second portion. The first portion (112) includes a tab (134) extending distal from the hinge (132) and wherein the second portion (122) includes a locking means (146) for releasably locking the tab (134) to the second portion (122). A method of releasably clamping a plurality of catheter lumens (100,102) during catheter insertion and a method of locating a catheter insertion distance based on the location of the clamp are also disclosed.

Abstract: A guide wire advancer (102) for advancing a guide wire (107) into a patient and including a body having a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first portion (110) adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire along the longitudinal axis using a finger and a thumb, and a second portion (108) connected to the first portion. The second portion (108) is adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire (107) along the longitudinal axis using only one finger or the thumb to bias the guide wire against a platform (164) of the second portion when advancing the guide wire (107). Multiple methods of advancing a guide wire using the advancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A guide wire advancer (102) for advancing a guide wire (107) into a patient and including a body having a longitudinal axis. The body includes a first portion (110) adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire along the longitudinal axis using a finger and a thumb, and a second portion (108) connected to the first portion. The second portion (108) is adapted to allow a user to advance a guide wire (107) along the longitudinal axis using only one finger or the thumb to bias the guide wire against a platform (164) of the second portion when advancing the guide wire (107). Multiple methods of advancing a guide wire using the advancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A luer cleaner (100) including a generally hollow body (112) having an open first end (104), a closed second end (106), and a longitudinal axis extending therethrough between the first end and the second end. The first end (104) is sized to receive therein a luer connector (190) proximal end and includes a plurality of bristles (134) extending generally toward the longitudinal axis sufficiently to engage the outer surfaces of the luer proximal end disposed therein. The second end comprises a compressible reservoir (166) containing a fluid (168), wherein, when the second end is compressed, the fluid is transmitted from the reservoir toward the first end through passageways to wet the luer proximal end. A method for cleaning luer connectors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A clamp (110) for releasably clamping a catheter body having a first portion (112), a second portion (122), and a hinge (132) connecting the first portion and the second portion, such that the first portion is disposed to face the second portion. The first portion (112) includes a tab (134) extending distal from the hinge (132) and wherein the second portion (122) includes a locking means (146) for releasably locking the tab (134) to the second portion (122). A method of releasably clamping a plurality of catheter lumens (100,102) during catheter insertion and a method of locating a catheter insertion distance based on the location of the clamp are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple catheter assembly (100) including a first catheter (110) having a first proximal end region (112), a first distal end region (114) terminating in a first distal tip (116), and an outer surface (120) defining at least a first lumen (122) extending longitudinally therethrough between a first distal and a first proximal opening. The assembly (100) also includes a second catheter (130) having a second proximal end region (132), a second distal end region (134) terminating in a second distal tip (136), and a second outer surface (140) defining at least a second lumen (142) extending longitudinally therethrough between a second distal and a second proximal opening. The first (122) and second (142) lumens are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions.

Abstract: A catheter insertion sheath assembly (100) including a tubular sheath body (106) having a proximal end (102), a distal end (104), and a hollow passage (107) extending between the proximal end and the distal end. A handle portion (110,114) is disposed at the proximal end of the tubular sheath. A clamp (120;300;400) extends from the handle portion for releasably closing the sheath prior to insertion of a catheter thereinto and includes a relatively movable portion (130) or portions (310,310?;410,410?) that is or are movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the clamp is in the open position, fluid may flow through the hollow passage between the proximal end and the distal end and when the clamp is in the closed position, fluid flow is restricted through the hollow passage between the proximal end and the distal end. A method includes inserting a catheter into the sheath upon the clamp's movable portion(s) being moved to an open position.