Abstract: An improved catheterization system includes: (i) a catheter system which receives a wire therein; and (ii) a puncture guard that flexibly, resiliently covers a portion of a wire extending from a proximal end of the catheter. Two-part and one-part embodiments of the puncture guard are available. The puncture guard is selectively mounted on a wire and/or onto a catheter through which the wire extends.

Abstract: A guidewire holder is provided that stores a coiled guidewire substantially immersed in a storage fluid and allows for a facilitated retrieval of the guidewire. The guidewire holder is generally configured as a shallow pan in a circular shape with an outer periphery to retain the coiled guidewire. The outer periphery includes a concave inner wall and a set of ribs that generally retain the coiled guidewire on the outer periphery. An access area is provided to suspend a portion of the guidewire away from the outer periphery to enable a medical practitioner to reach into the guidewire holder and grasp a portion of the guidewire in order to easily extract the coiled guidewire from the holder. An inner periphery reduces the amount of storage fluid needed to immerse the guidewire and is used in combination with the outer periphery to provide a location for comfortably holding the guidewire holder. Multiple holders may be coupled together so as to be stacked on top of each other.

Abstract: An improved catheterization system includes (i) an occluding wire; (ii) a catheter, and (iii) a fluid supply port in fluid communication with the catheter. The occluding wire includes (i) an elongate wire body; (ii) an occluding tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate wire body; and (iii) a hub coupled to a proximal end of the elongate wire body. The hub of the occluding wire is configured to be coupled to the catheter. The hub of the occluding wire thus prevents the occluding tip from moving in a longitudinal direction with respect to the catheter once the occluding tip has been placed in a desired position with respect to the catheter.

Abstract: An improved catheter includes a double spiral configuration of infusion holes around the circumference and along the length of the catheter which provides an improved lateral dispersion of a thrombolytic fluid to more completely and quickly lyse a clot through which the catheter is passing. The double spiral configuration consists of groups or sets of infusion holes, typically groups of four. The holes in each set are longitudinally spaced from each other at substantially regular intervals along the length of the catheter. Each successive hole in a given group is circumferentially spaced by an angular distance of about 90.degree. around the circumference of the catheter relative to the immediately preceding hole. Each group of holes is circumferentially spaced or offset by an angular distance of between 1.degree. and 89.degree. relative to the immediately preceding group of holes. Typically, the angular spacing between successive groups of holes is 18.degree..

Abstract: An indwelling catheter apparatus for providing fluid to the central venous system, comprising: (a) an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion into subcutaneous tissue in the chest wall and approximately within the superior vena cava, the indwelling cannula having (i) an indwelling distal end, the distal end having an exit port in fluid communication with the superior vena cava; (ii) a proximal hub end adapted for positioning outside of the body; and (iii) a primary lumen for delivering fluid to the circulatory system; and (b) delivery means for delivering fluid medicament to the subcutaneous tissue surrounding a portion of the cannula.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A sheath is selectively disposed about the cannula so as to be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The sheath may include a plurality of longitudinal bores which act as a lumen to provide fluid medicament to delivery holes on the outside of the sheath. The delivery holes permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the subcutaneous tissue. A light permeable hub means may be used to maintain a fluid tight connection between the sheath means and a storage container for anesthetic agent or fluid medicament.

Abstract: An indwelling catheter apparatus for providing nutrients into a patient's stomach comprises: (a) an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through the abdominal and stomach walls and into the patient's stomach, the indwelling cannula having (i) an indwelling distal end disposed within the stomach, the distal end having an exit port; and (ii) a proximal hub end adapted for positioning outside of the body; (b) delivery means for delivering fluid medicament to essentially only the area of subcutaneous tissue of the abdominal and stomach walls, (c) distal securing means for securing the distal end of the cannula within the stomach; and (d) proximal securing means for securing the proximal hub end of the cannula outside of the body.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be further manipulated or retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sleeve around the cannula can be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein one or more lumens into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the one or more lumens.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A helical sheath is formed from an elongate band that is wrapped around the cannula in a helical fashion so as to be capable of being positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The helical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is connected to the proximal end of the helical sheath. The helical sheath has formed therein a plurality of delivery holes that form a fluid communication path with the lumen.

Abstract: A novel catheter apparatus for use in delivering an anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament to the portion of subcutaneous tissue through which a catheter device has been inserted into a patient, thereby allowing the catheter device to be retracted without causing pain or discomfort to the patient. The catheter device has an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body. A cylindrical sheath is placed on the cannula so as to be positioned within the subcutaneous tissue once the cannula has been inserted into the body. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a lumen into which the anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament can be delivered via a hub that is disposed on the catheter apparatus. The cylindrical sheath has formed therein a plurality of one-way slit valves. The one-way slit valves permit the anesthetic agent or fluid medicament to be delivered to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue, and also prevent any bodily fluids from entering the lumen.