Abstract: An access needle well-suited for percutaneous implantation in a body lumen, such as the stomach or the jejunum. In one embodiment, the access needle comprises a cannula, a needle, a retractable stopper and a spreader. The cannula is a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen and a pair of side windows providing access to the lumen. The needle is slidably mounted within the cannula lumen and comprises a needle stem and a needle handle, the needle stem having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal lumen, the needle handle extending outwardly from the needle stem proximate to the proximal end thereof. The stopper is coupled to the needle stem for translational movement, the stopper comprising a pair of outwardly-biasing wings removably insertable through the side windows for engaging an interior surface of a patient. The spreader is mounted within the cannula and spreads the wings outwardly as the wings are inserted out the side windows.

Abstract: Connector for use with a medical catheter assembly and medical catheter assembly including the connector. In one embodiment, the connector comprises a rear portion, an intermediate portion, and a front portion. The rear portion is frusto-conical in shape and tapers rearwardly in cross-sectional diameter from its front end. A centrally-disposed, smaller-diameter, longitudinal bore is provided in the rear portion, the bore being appropriately dimensioned to receive a guidewire therethrough. The intermediate portion is generally cylindrical and is shaped to include a centrally-disposed, larger-diameter longitudinal bore and a pair of longitudinally-extending slots providing access to the larger-diameter bore. The front portion is frusto-conical in shape and tapers forwardly in cross-sectional diameter from its rear end.

Abstract: Low profile adaptor for use with gastrostomy feeding tube. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor comprises a disc-shaped housing, the housing being provided with a bottom opening and a side slot, the side slot having a uniform width, except for an enlarged area at one end thereof. A tube is disposed within the housing, the tube having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal bore. The first end is aligned with the bottom opening and is adapted to be inserted into the proximal end of a gastrostomy feeding tube. A ratchet-type clamp is disposed within the housing and is used to secure the gastrostomy feeding tube to the first end of the tube. A lateral slot is formed in the tube at its second end and is in fluid communication with the longitudinal bore. A dial is disposed within the housing and is rotatably mounted on the second end of the tube, the dial including a radial channel.

Abstract: A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.