US4585437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Introducer for an umbilical artery catheter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-07-20
•
Granted: 1986-04-29
•
Expires: 2004-07-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an improved device for introducing an umbilical artery catheter into an infant. Difficulty is experienced in introducing a catheter into the arterial system of an infant through the umbilical stump of a new born baby. The use of forceps to aid in the introduction often tears the arterial system and adds to the problem. The introduction of the catheter is particularly difficult in premature infants. The device consists of a funnel-like body with a handle-like member at the enlarged open end. At the end inserted into the arterial system, the small end of the funnel-like body consists of a plurality of prong-like nibs. The small end at the distal end of the prong-like nibs is bulbous-like and serves to prevent the device from being exuded from the arterial system once it is in place.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark D. Simms
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/013; A61M2240/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for providing a guidance means to insert an object into a very small opening, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; and a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an opening.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A device for providing a guidance means to insert an object into a very small opening, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; and a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidance device as recited in claim 1, and additionally, a handle means, said handle means being suitably affixed to said body means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
A guidance device for guiding an umbilical catheter into an umbilical artery, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration, said body means having a first end and a second end; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said first end of said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an umbilical artery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
A guidance device for guiding an umbilical catheter into an umbilical artery, comprising: a body means, said body means being hollow and funnel-like in configuration, said body means having a first end and a second end; a plurality of nibs, each nib of said plurality of nibs being very flexible and spring-like, each said nib having a memory, each nib of said plurality of nibs being suitably affixed to said first end of said body means; a plurality of bulbous means, each bulbous means of said plurality of bulbous means being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective nib of said plurality of nibs opposite to said body means; a plurality of lead tips, said lead tips being very thin and tapered, each thin tapered lead tip of said plurality of lead tips having a wide first end and a narrow second end, said wide first end of each said lead tip being separately and individually suitably affixed to the distal end of a respective bulbous means, said plurality of lead tips serving to guide said plurality of bulbous means into an umbilical artery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3 and additionally, a handle means, said handle means being suitably affixed to said second end of said body means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said body means with affixed plurality of nibs, bulbous means, and thin tapered lead tips has a passageway therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidance means for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 5, wherein said passageway is tapered.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are monolithically formed contiguous with said body means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are separated by a slit-like opening between each adjacent pair of said nibs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A guidance device for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 8 and additionally, an inverted tear-drop-like opening at the upper portion of each said slit-like opening where said nibs are monolithically and integrally formed contiguous with said body means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A guidance means for an umbilical catheter as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of flexible spring-like nibs are formed separately and individually affixed to said body means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US380745A
Cited
US668879A
Cited
US762743A
Cited
US1412975A
Cited
US1538678A
Cited
US1538679A
Cited
GB299246A
Cited
US3224437A
Cited
US3169529A
Cited
US3698387A
Cited
US3877429A
Cited
GB2031733A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |