Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A needle sheath complex for use in locating, removing matter from, and inserting devices in human bodies and animal bodies consisting of: a. a probe cannula of tubular shape and consistent diameter having a small enough outer diameter to penetrate sensitive organs, arteries, and other body structures without doing substantial damage; b. a stylus slidably located within said probe cannula with a diameter which fills said probe cannula, said stylus having a sharp piercing end and being enough longer than said probe cannula to project slightly from the end of said probe cannula to provide a cutting end; c. an outer sheath of tubular shape slidably located over said probe cannula having an inside diameter large enough to remove matter from or insert devices in said bodies, said outer sheath being long enough to extend from the target in the body to the outside of the body and said probe cannula being at least twice that length; d. Means for locking said stylus within said probe cannula in position, said means being removable from said probe cannula so that said outer sheath may be removed from said probe cannula whereby said outer sheath may be replaced with an outer sheath which is more rigid, less rigid, or larger in diameter, or capable of procedures different from the outer sheath removed without removing said probe cannula from the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A needle sheath complex for use in locating, removing matter from, and inserting devices in human bodies and animal bodies consisting of: a. a probe cannula of tubular shape and consistent diameter having a small enough outer diameter to penetrate sensitive organs, arteries, and other body structures without doing substantial damage; b. a stylus slidably located within said probe cannula with a diameter which fills said probe cannula, said stylus having a sharp piercing end and being enough longer than said probe cannula to project slightly from the end of said probe cannula to provide a cutting end; c. an outer sheath of tubular shape slidably located over said probe cannula having an inside diameter large enough to remove matter from or insert devices in said bodies, said outer sheath being long enough to extend from the target in the body to the outside of the body and said probe cannula being at least twice that length; d. Means for locking said stylus within said probe cannula in position, said means being removable from said probe cannula so that said outer sheath may be removed from said probe cannula whereby said outer sheath may be replaced with an outer sheath which is more rigid, less rigid, or larger in diameter, or capable of procedures different from the outer sheath removed without removing said probe cannula from the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The needle sheath complex claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for locking said stylus within said probe cannula is comprised of a lock fitting attached to an end of said probe cannula which enables attachment of a syringe or other devices to said probe cannula and a hub attached to said stylus having means for detachably connecting said hub to said lock fitting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The needle sheath complex claimed in claim 2 wherein said outer sheath includes detachable means for attaching a syringe to the end of said outer sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The needle sheath complex claimed in claim 1 wherein the end of said outer sheath which is closest to said sharp piercing end of said stylus being tapered smoothly from its outside diameter down to a snug but slideable fit between the outer diameter of said probe cannula and the inside diameter of said outer sheath so that when the outer sheath is slid into the body over the probe cannula the opening is stretched to the larger diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
224 words
A process for locating a specific target within a human or animal body, verifying that the target has been located, decompressing the cavity by catheterization and sampling the target cavity structure with a biopsy needle consisting of the following steps: a. Inserting a small diameter probe cannula have a stylus which fills the probe cannula and which is enough longer than the probe cannula so that a sharp end of the stylus projects from the probe cannula and wherein said stylus is detachably fastened to said probe cannula so that both hands are free to guide the probe cannula to the target cavity within said body; b. Detaching said stylus from said probe cannula and removing it; c. Attaching a syringe to said probe cannula to draw a sample of fluid to determine whether the fluid will identify the target; d. Sliding a catheter over said probe cannula and advancing it to the target site; e. Removing said probe cannula from said catheter; f. Attaching means for draining fluid from the target area to said catheter and decompressing the area; g. Reinserting the probe cannula into said catheter to the target area and withdrawing said catheter; h. Sliding a biopsy needle over said probe cannula and advancing said outer sheath to the target area; and i. Taking a biopsy sample through said biopsy needle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
224 words
A process for locating a specific target within a human or animal body, verifying that the target has been located, decompressing the cavity by catheterization and sampling the target cavity structure with a biopsy needle consisting of the following steps: a. Inserting a small diameter probe cannula have a stylus which fills the probe cannula and which is enough longer than the probe cannula so that a sharp end of the stylus projects from the probe cannula and wherein said stylus is detachably fastened to said probe cannula so that both hands are free to guide the probe cannula to the target cavity within said body; b. Detaching said stylus from said probe cannula and removing it; c. Attaching a syringe to said probe cannula to draw a sample of fluid to determine whether the fluid will identify the target; d. Sliding a catheter over said probe cannula and advancing it to the target site; e. Removing said probe cannula from said catheter; f. Attaching means for draining fluid from the target area to said catheter and decompressing the area; g. Reinserting the probe cannula into said catheter to the target area and withdrawing said catheter; h. Sliding a biopsy needle over said probe cannula and advancing said outer sheath to the target area; and i. Taking a biopsy sample through said biopsy needle.