Inventors:
John E. Stocking - Louisville KY 40223
Francis Duque - Louisville KY 40241
International Classification:
A61M 5178
US Classification:
60416409, 60416401, 604264
Abstract:
An improved catheter assembly featuring a hollow introducer needle, a hollow, flexible dilator containing at least one fenestration through a sidewall thereof, the dilator being slidably disposed over the needle, and a sheath slidably disposed over the dilator. A passageway is formed in the assembly to either show a rapid blood flashback along a lengthwise portion of the assembly or to conduct blood or other biological liquid from the patient to a sideport on the sheath for connection to blood pressure monitoring equipment, infusion/blood sampling equipment, or both, without the necessity of altering connections on or with the assembly after insertion of the needle into the patient.