Abstract: This invention provides a guidewire adapted for the catheterization of very small vasculature of the neonates, infants and children. In one embodiment of the invention, a guidewire of 0.010 inch diameter is described. The present invention also provides an alignment adaptor that facilitates catheterization of small vasculature utilizing said guidewire, and method of using the same.

Abstract: This invention provides a guidewire adapted for the catheterization of very small vasculature of the neonates, infants and children. In one embodiment of the invention, a guidewire of 0.010 inch diameter is described. The present invention also provides an alignment adaptor that facilitates catheterization of small vasculature utilizing said guidewire, and method of using the same.

Abstract: Catheter assembly (100) having at least one lumen (150 or 160) and joined to hub (106). While the lumen inner diameter(s) remain constant from distal end (144) of the catheter (140) to proximal end (142), the outer catheter diameter increases proximate the hub (106) providing increased resistance to kinking during connection and disconnection from medical apparatus. The increased proximal catheter diameter preferably is sufficiently large to plug the proximal end of an introducer sheath through which the catheter is inserted during patient placement, to plug the proximal sheath end and minimize blood aspiration therethrough, and later serves to fill the vascular insertion upon complete catheter insertion after removal of the introducer sheath again to minimize blood aspiration through the vascular incision. The catheter may have two lumens (150,160) or more, joined to respective extension tubes in hub (106). The two lumens may each have a respective inner diameter of between about 0.020 in and 0.025 in.