Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the insertion of an indwelling catheter into the subclavian vein of a patient which comprises the steps of: a. making a first incision in the subclavian area of the patient; b. making a second incision in the patient at a location displaced from the first incision; c. making subcutaneous tunnel from the second incision to the first incision, said making of the tunnel comprising moving a hollow catheter into the second incision and subcutaneously to and through the first incision; d. moving the indwelling catheter through the hollow catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision; e. after step d., removing the hollow catheter from the subcutaneous tunnel; f. inserting the indwelling catheter in through the first incision and into the subclavian vein; and g. closing the first incision to have the indwelling catheter exit from the patient only at the second incision.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for the insertion of an indwelling catheter into the subclavian vein of a patient which comprises the steps of: a. making a first incision in the subclavian area of the patient; b. making a second incision in the patient at a location displaced from the first incision; c. making subcutaneous tunnel from the second incision to the first incision, said making of the tunnel comprising moving a hollow catheter into the second incision and subcutaneously to and through the first incision; d. moving the indwelling catheter through the hollow catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision; e. after step d., removing the hollow catheter from the subcutaneous tunnel; f. inserting the indwelling catheter in through the first incision and into the subclavian vein; and g. closing the first incision to have the indwelling catheter exit from the patient only at the second incision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 in which the hollow catheter used in step c. is a straight, cylindrical catheter having a tapered distal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 2 in which step d. comprises inserting the indwelling catheter into the hollow catheter prior to step c., the masking of the subcutaneous tunnel with the hollow catheter thereby also moving the indwelling catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 in which the indwelling catheter includes an external cuff and step d. comprises moving the indwelling catheter to a position having the cuff located within the subcutaneous tunnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which step b. comprises making the second incision in an area of the patient between the sternum and the nipple.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 in which the indwelling catheter includes an external cuff and step d. comprises moving the indwelling catheter to a position having the cuff located within the subcutaneous tunnel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 in which the hollow catheter used in step c. is a straight, cylindrical catheter having a tapered distal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 in which step d. comprises inserting the indwelling catheter into the hollow catheter prior to step c., the making of the subcutaneous tunnel with the hollow catheter thereby also moving the indwelling catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 in which the indwelling catheter includes an external cuff and step d. comprises moving the indwelling catheter to a position having the cuff located within the subcutaneous tunnel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 in which step f. comprises the substeps of inserting a second hollow catheter through the first incision and into the subclavian vein, thereafter inserting the indwelling catheter through the second hollow catheter and into the subclavian vein, and removing the second hollow catheter from the first incision and from the indwelling catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 in which the step of inserting a second hollow catheter into the subclavian vein is performed prior to step c.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 in which the hollow catheter used in step c. is a straight, cylindrical catheter having a tapered distal end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 in which step b. comprises making the second incision in an area of the patient between the sternum and the nipple.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 in which the hollow catheter used in step c. is a straight, cylindrical catheter having a tapered distal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 in which the indwelling catheter includes an external cuff and step d. comprises moving the indwelling catheter to a position having the cuff located within the subcutaneous tunnel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 15 in which step d. comprises inserting the indwelling catheter into the hollow catheter prior to step c., the making of the subcutaneous tunnel with the hollow catheter thereby also moving the indwelling catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 in which the second hollow catheter comprises a tear away sheath and the removal of the second hollow catheter comprises tearing the sheath apart into two separable sections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 in which the second hollow catheter comprises a pacemaker lead introducer with a tear away sheath.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 18 in which the hollow catheter used in step c. is a straight, cylindrical catheter having a tapered distal end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 in which step b. comprises making the second incision in an area of the patient between the sternum and the nipple.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 in which the indwelling catheter includes an external cuff and step d. comprises moving the indwelling catheter to a position having the cuff located within the subcutaneous tunnel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 21 in which step d. comprises inserting the indwelling catheter into the hollow catheter prior to step c., the making of the subcutaneous tunnel with the hollow catheter thereby also moving the indwelling catheter from the second incision to and through the first incision.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 in which step e. is performed prior to step f.