Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A surgical catheter assembly for draining or delivering fluids to the bladder comprising: a. a hollow, flexible plastic tube of suitAble diameter for insertion into the bladder, said tube having a tapered blunt tip at the distal end thereof, said tube being inwardly curved at the distal end when unobstructed, said tube having a series of longitudinally aligned ports spaced on the inside of said curve; b. a rigid hub in open communication with the lumen of the plastic tube in sealing engagement with the proximal end of the tube; c. a hollow, piercing element removably disposed within said plastic tube, said element having a beveled point extending beyond the distal end of said plastic tube, wherein the tapered blunt tip of said tube is in close friction fit with the piercing element; d. means for indicating the presence of fluid in the piercing element after insertion into the bladder; and e. a pliant sheath sealingly fitted about the proximal end of the catheter tubing, said sheath bifurcated at its distal end into anchoring wings adapted to be bent away from the catheter tube after introduction of the assembly into the bladder to form an anchor for the assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A surgical catheter assembly for draining or delivering fluids to the bladder comprising: a. a hollow, flexible plastic tube of suitAble diameter for insertion into the bladder, said tube having a tapered blunt tip at the distal end thereof, said tube being inwardly curved at the distal end when unobstructed, said tube having a series of longitudinally aligned ports spaced on the inside of said curve; b. a rigid hub in open communication with the lumen of the plastic tube in sealing engagement with the proximal end of the tube; c. a hollow, piercing element removably disposed within said plastic tube, said element having a beveled point extending beyond the distal end of said plastic tube, wherein the tapered blunt tip of said tube is in close friction fit with the piercing element; d. means for indicating the presence of fluid in the piercing element after insertion into the bladder; and e. a pliant sheath sealingly fitted about the proximal end of the catheter tubing, said sheath bifurcated at its distal end into anchoring wings adapted to be bent away from the catheter tube after introduction of the assembly into the bladder to form an anchor for the assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which the piercing element comprises a needle extending beyond the blunt tip of the catheter tube at its distal end and having a hollow light-pervious hub in fluid communication with the proximal end of said catheter tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 including a vent plug removably engaged in said needle hub for blocking the flow of fluid through said needle during insertion of the assembly into the bladder and for permitting the passage of air through said needle during such insertion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 in which said bifurcated wings are in preselected alignment with said outlet ports for proper orientation of the distal end of the catheter tubing in the bladder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A suprapubic method for inserting the catheter assembly of claim 1 into the bladder comprising, in sequence, the steps of: a. distending the bladder with nontoxic fluid, b. inserting the catheter assembly through the abdominal wall into the bladder for approximately one half the distance between the distal end of the catheter tubing and the bifurcation point of the sheath, c. verifying the presence of said assembly in the bladder, d. withdrawing the piercing element while introducing the catheter tubing into the bladder until the bifurcation point on the sheath is reached, and e. affixing each of said wings to the skin.