Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an integrated syringe-device which can store a volume of fluid for infusion, can connect via an air-tight connector to another device (such as a luer connector), can flush fluid through the connector into the other device, and can deliver a cap that forms an air-tight closure to the device connector.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an integrated syringe-device which can store a volume of fluid for infusion, can connect via an air-tight connector to another device (such as a luer connector), can flush fluid through the connector into the other device, and can deliver a cap that forms an air-tight closure to the device connector.

Abstract: A stimulating needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of the stimulating needle or the stimulating catheter may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Use of the needle and catheter system is eased by providing the system to the medical practitioner in a unitary structure. That is, the needle and catheter are connected by a catheter lock. The catheter lock is attached to the hub of the needle and can be actuated to either firmly grip the catheter or allow the catheter to move axially with respect to the lock and needle assembly. Thus, supplying the catheter to the practitioner already locked into the catheter lock allows the practitioner to insert the needle into the patient and, when ready, release the catheter for disposal through the needle into the patient. This and other disclosed features allow the medical practitioner to focus attention on the medical procedure.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an integrated syringe-device which can store a volume of fluid for infusion, can connect via an air-tight connector to another device (such as a luer connector), can flush fluid through the connector into the other device, and can deliver a cap that forms an air-tight closure to the device connector.

Abstract: A catheter insertion assembly for inserting a catheter into a body lumen of a patient is disclosed as well as a method of using the assembly. The assembly comprises a hub, a catheter stiffener and a valve. The valve is disposed in the lumen of the hub and prevents substantially all fluid flow through the lumen in at least one direction below a pressure threshold. The proximal end of the stiffener is attached to the hub and the stiffener extends distally of the distal end of the hub. The stiffener lumen is in fluid communication with the hub lumen. The stiffener occupies a lumen of the catheter and provides additional stiffness to the catheter such that a catheter introducer is not necessary for insertion of the catheter.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel defining a liquid chamber, an aperture and two or more contents indicators; a plunger movable within said barrel whereby movement of the plunger in a first direction causes the liquid chamber to fill with a fluid and movement by the plunger in a second direction causes fluid to be expelled from the liquid chamber through the aperture; and a selecting mechanism disposed on the barrel that is actuated to select only one of the contents indicators.

Abstract: A stimulating needle and catheter system is provided for delivery of an anaesthetic drug to a nerve having a fascia sheath. The position of the stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle such that the distal tip of the catheter is located at a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The distal tip of the catheter may then be manipulated and the optimum position within the nerve determined by applying an electrical impulse through a wire located within the catheter from the proximal end to the distal tip of the catheter. A tunneling device is inserted into the skin of the patient to form a subcutaneous tunnel through which the proximal end of the catheter is inserted.

Abstract: A catheter insertion assembly for inserting a catheter into a body lumen of a patient is disclosed as well as a method of using the assembly. The assembly comprises a hub, a catheter stiffener and a valve. The hub has a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen connecting the proximal and distal ends. The valve is disposed in the lumen of the hub and prevents substantially all fluid flow through the lumen in at least one direction below a pressure threshold. The stiffener comprises a proximal end, a distal end and a central lumen. The proximal end of the stiffener is attached to the hub and the stiffener extends distally of the distal end of the hub, and the stiffener lumen is in fluid communication with the hub lumen. The stiffener occupies a lumen of the catheter and provides additional stiffness to the catheter such that a catheter introducer is not necessary for insertion of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter trimmer including a blade housing including a catheter insertion guide that guides a tip of a catheter along a side of the blade housing at an oblique angle relative to the side of the blade housing, and a blade disposed within the blade housing and pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the side of the blade housing, the blade having a pre-trimming position in which the blade is pivoted upwards to allow a catheter to be inserted into the catheter insertion guide, and a trimming position in which the blade is pivoted downwards through the catheter insertion guide to trim the catheter to the oblique angle.

Abstract: A needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of an stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Positioning of the stimulating needle while simultaneously controlling and monitoring the electrical impulses applied therethrough is made possible by a control device and monitor integral with the stimulating needle. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle to a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The catheter tip may then be manipulated and the optimum position for the catheter tip determined by applying an electrical impulse through the helical wire and/or the ribbon support wire to the proximal tip catheter, this electrical stimulation being utilized in determining the specific location of the catheter tip within the nerve.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel defining a liquid chamber, an aperture and two or more contents indicators; a plunger movable within said barrel whereby movement of the plunger in a first direction causes the liquid chamber to fill with a fluid and movement by the plunger in a second direction causes fluid to be expelled from the liquid chamber through the aperture; and a selecting mechanism disposed on the barrel that is actuated to select only one of the contents indicators.

Abstract: A needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of an stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Positioning of the stimulating needle while simultaneously controlling and monitoring the electrical impulses applied therethrough is made possible by a control device and monitor integral with the stimulating needle. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle to a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The catheter tip may then be manipulated and the optimum position for the catheter tip determined by applying an electrical impulse through the helical wire and/or the ribbon support wire to the proximal tip catheter, this electrical stimulation being utilized in determining the specific location of the catheter tip within the nerve.

Abstract: A method of inserting a catheter into a body of a patient includes identifying a catheter insertion site on the patient's body; measuring a length, from the insertion site to another site external to the body of the patient, and along an external path that follows a presumed internal path of the catheter from the insertion site to a target site within the patient's body, using an automatic measuring device; trimming the catheter to an appropriate length based on the length measured by the automatic measuring device; and inserting the trimmed catheter into the body of the patient through the insertion site to the target site.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tube formed of plastic, a helical spring coil formed of metal and a ribbon which is longitudinally substantially non-extendable. The coil is coaxially disposed within the tube and substantially coextensive longitudinally with the tube. The ribbon is disposed within the coil, proximal ends of the ribbon and the coil being secured together, and the ribbon distal end being secured to the coil body at a predetermined point of the coil body adjacent but substantially proximally spaced from the coil distal end. The ribbon precludes substantial longitudinal extension of the coil body intermediate the coil proximal end and the predetermined point, thereby to limit longitudinal extension and increase the pull strength of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tube formed of plastic, a helical spring coil formed of metal and a ribbon which is longitudinally substantially non-extendable. The coil is coaxially disposed within the tube and substantially coextensive longitudinally with the tube. The ribbon is disposed within the coil, proximal ends of the ribbon and the coil being secured together, and the ribbon distal end being secured to the coil body at a predetermined point of the coil body adjacent but substantially proximally spaced from the coil distal end. The ribbon precludes substantial longitudinal extension of the coil body intermediate the coil proximal end and the predetermined point, thereby to limit longitudinal extension and increase the pull strength of the catheter.

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.

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.