Split sleeve introducers for pacemaker electrodes and the like

Claim 2

Apparatus for introducing an object into the human body, said apparatus comprising: a tubular introducer with a tapered end adapted to extend into said body; a hollow sleeve surrounding the introducer and formed of a tube having a first portion with an inner dimension greater than the outer dimension of said introducer and a second portion at one end of said sleeve which extends parallel with said introducer, said second portion dimensioned for close engagement with said introducer adjacent the tapered end thereof, with a gradual taper along said sleeve between said first and second portions; and said sleeve having a longitudinally weakened line along said first portion from the other end of said sleeve, said weakened line extending through said taper and terminating short of said one end.

Claim 3

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said parallel, second portion of said sleeve is between 1-5 millimeters in length.

Claim 4

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally weakened line extends along said taper between said first and second portions of said sleeve.

Claim 5

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed of polypropylene.

Claim 6

The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising means for locking said sleeve with said introducer.

Claim 7

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said first portion of said sleeve further comprises a flange at the other end thereof, said flange having an outward dimension away from said sleeve to permit thumb placement across said flange to prevent air flow through said sleeve.

Claim 8

The apparatus recited in claim 6 further comprising means for locking said flange to said introducer.

Claim 9

The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is radio-opaque.

Claim 10

The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising: a needle adapted to extend into the subclavian vein; and a flexible wire having a dimension permitting said wire to be inserted through said needle and said introducer, said wire dimensioned to slide through said introducer.

Claim 11

Apparatus for introducing a pacemaker electrode or the like into a subclavian vein of a patient, said apparatus comprising: a small, hollow needle, on the order of about 18 gauge, adapted to be inserted into said subclavian vein; a flexible wire dimensioned to extend through said needle and into said vein; an introducer formed of a hollow tube having an inner dimension so as to receive said wire therein and a tapered forward end for extension into said subclavian vein; a hollow sleeve formed of a tube having a first portion with an inner dimension greater than the outer dimension of said introducer and a second portion at the forward end of said sleeve which extends parallel with said introducer and in close engagement therewith at said tapered end of said introducer, with a gradual taper between said first and second portions of said sleeve; said sleeve having a longitudinal slit extending along said first portion from the end opposite said forward end and through said taper, and terminating short of the extremity of said sleeve in said second portion; and wherein said electrode may be introduced into the subclavian vein of said patient by inserting said needle into the vein, inserting said wire through said needle into the vein, removing said needle and sliding said introducer with said sleeve thereon together along said wire and into said vein, removing said wire and said introducer, inserting said electrode through said sleeve and into the vein, thereafter pulling said sleeve from the vein and peeling said sleeve away from said electrode along said longitudinal slit, and tearing the unslit second portion of said sleeve along said longitudinal slit in the event that said second portion is not torn by passage of said electrode therethrough.

Claim 12

Apparatus for introducing a pacemaker electrode or the like into a subclavian vein of a patient, said apparatus comprising: a small, hollow needle, on the order of about 18 gauge, adapted to be inserted into said subclavian vein; a flexible wire dimensioned to extend through said needle and into said vein; an introducer formed of a hollow tube having an inner dimension so as to receive said wire therein and a tapered forward end for extension into said subclavian vein; a hollow sleeve formed of a tube having a first portion with an inner dimension greater than the outer dimension of said introducer and a second portion at the forward end of said sleeve which extends parallel with said introducer and in close engagement therewith at said tapered end of said introducer, with a gradual taper between said first and second portions of said sleeve; said sleeve having a longitudinal slit extending along said first portion from the end opposite said forward end and through said taper, and terminating short of the extremity of said sleeve in said second portion; and wherein said electrode may be introduced into the subclavian vein of said patient by inserting said needle into the vein, inserting said wire through said needle into the vein, removing said needle and sliding said introducer with said sleeve thereon together along said wire and into said vein, removing said wire and said introducer, inserting said electrode through said sleeve and into the vein, thereafter pulling said sleeve from the vein and peeling said sleeve away from said electrode along said longitudinal slit, and tearing the unslit second portion of said sleeve along said longitudinal slit in the event that said second portion is not torn by passage of said electrode therethrough.