Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A catheter introducer, comprising: (a) a first annular element comprising a substantially solid cylindrical element defining an internal diameter and an outer diameter; (b) a second annular element comprising a substantially solid cylindrical element defining an internal diameter and an outer diameter; (c) means for rotatably securing said first and second elements relative to each other and about a common longitudinal axis passing through the centers of the internal diameters of both of said annular elements; and (d) a cylindrical segment of elastic tubing, said tubing having elongation properties of at least 800% and having a ratio of internal diameter to wall thickness in the range of 10:1 to 15:1, said segment disposed in a fluid-tight securement, between said first and second annular elements, radially at or beyond the internal diameters of said annular elements, wherein a catheter-like object passing through both of said internal diameters may, upon a fractional rotation of said first element relative to said second element, cause a resultant spiral wrap-around of said object by said elastic segment and therein a reduced diameter of the elastic segment, such wrap-around and reduced diameter thereby causing both intimate contact with said catheter-like object and a continuous, integral seal about said object, whereby said object will be held in place by said continuous, integral seal of said elastic segment, thereby keeping the surface of the catheter-like object, relative to the catheter introducer, sealed in both directions relative to atomospheric and body fluid pressures, this permitting, if desired, axial movement and rotation of said catheter-like object within said elastic segment without loss of said continuous integral seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A catheter introducer, comprising: (a) a first annular element comprising a substantially solid cylindrical element defining an internal diameter and an outer diameter; (b) a second annular element comprising a substantially solid cylindrical element defining an internal diameter and an outer diameter; (c) means for rotatably securing said first and second elements relative to each other and about a common longitudinal axis passing through the centers of the internal diameters of both of said annular elements; and (d) a cylindrical segment of elastic tubing, said tubing having elongation properties of at least 800% and having a ratio of internal diameter to wall thickness in the range of 10:1 to 15:1, said segment disposed in a fluid-tight securement, between said first and second annular elements, radially at or beyond the internal diameters of said annular elements, wherein a catheter-like object passing through both of said internal diameters may, upon a fractional rotation of said first element relative to said second element, cause a resultant spiral wrap-around of said object by said elastic segment and therein a reduced diameter of the elastic segment, such wrap-around and reduced diameter thereby causing both intimate contact with said catheter-like object and a continuous, integral seal about said object, whereby said object will be held in place by said continuous, integral seal of said elastic segment, thereby keeping the surface of the catheter-like object, relative to the catheter introducer, sealed in both directions relative to atomospheric and body fluid pressures, this permitting, if desired, axial movement and rotation of said catheter-like object within said elastic segment without loss of said continuous integral seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter introducer recited in claim 1 in which said elastic segment is secured to and about the outside diameters of said annular elements in the region where said elements face each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The catheter introducer recited in claim 1 in which said second annular element includes a side port having fluid communication with the internal diameter of said second element, whereby a medical fluid may be injected through said side port and into the annular volume existing between the internal diameter of said second element and the outer diameter of said catheter-like object.