Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end facing away from said distal end of said primary catheter and secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter along said interior wall in a direction toward and out through the open distal end of said primary catheter; wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to said interior wall along a predetermined length of said interior wall which is recessed from said distal end of said primary catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end facing away from said distal end of said primary catheter and secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter along said interior wall in a direction toward and out through the open distal end of said primary catheter; wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to said interior wall along a predetermined length of said interior wall which is recessed from said distal end of said primary catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined length of said interior wall is spaced from said distal end of said primary catheter by a distance which is at least equal to said predetermined length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 1 wherein said everting catheter is a thin walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube, wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space with said interior wall of said primary catheter, and wherein said means for selectively everting includes means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 3 wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater durometer than said everting catheter and having a bias-cut end secured within said everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 4 further comprising a housing, wherein said primary catheter includes a proximal end secured to and opening into said housing, wherein said housing includes an interior region in flow communication with said annular space and an access opening through which said seal tube extends into said interior region and said primary catheter, and further including dynamic seal means surrounding said seal tube proximate said access opening to permit longitudinal movement of said seal tube through said access opening while providing a pressure seal about said seal tube at said access opening, said dynamic seal means comprising an annular elastomeric member disposed about said seal tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 5 wherein said dynamic seal means further comprises a threaded gland member threadedly engaging said housing about said access opening and having a through hole defined therein in longitudinal alignment with said access opening, said annular elastomeric member being disposed between said gland member and said housing so as to be selectively compressed between the gland member, the housing and the seal tube as the threaded engagement between the gland member and housing is tightened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The catheter assembly to claim 6 wherein said means for selectively everting includes port means in said housing for supplying pressurized fluid to said housing interior region and to said annular cylindrical space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 7 further comprising bleed means responsive to application of pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 8 wherein said bleed tube is selectively removable from said annular cylindrical space, wherein said housing has a bleed tube opening defined therein through which said bleed tube extends, said assembly further comprising bleed tube seal means for pressure sealing said bleed tube opening against said bleed tube while permitting longitudinal movement of said bleed tube through said bleed tube opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 9 wherein said means for supplying pressurized fluid includes fitting means secured to said housing for conducting pressurized fluid into said housing interior region, syringe means removably secured to said housing for injecting pressurized fluid through said fitting means and into said housing interior region, and selectively actuable valve means for alternatively opening and blocking flow to said fitting means from said syringe means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 10 wherein said fitting means includes a flow passage formed integrally with said housing and oriented to conduct pressurized fluid to said housing interior region, and wherein said bleed tube extends through said flow passage to said bleed tube opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 3 further comprising bleed means responsive to application of pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from the space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube movable in said annular cylindrical space independently of said primary catheter and having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 12 further comprising a housing, said proximal end of said primary catheter being secured to and opening into said housing, wherein said bleed tube is selectively removable from said annular cylindrical space, wherein said housing has a bleed tube opening defined therein through which said bleed tube extends, said assembly further comprising bleed tube seal means for pressuresealing said bleed tube opening against said bleed tube while permitting longitudinal movement of said bleed tube through said bleed tube opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
200 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias-cut end bonded to and within said everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
200 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias-cut end bonded to and within said everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
251 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube, wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; a housing, wherein said proximal end of said primary catheter is secured to and opens into said housing; and bleed means responsive to supplying pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube movable in said annular space independently of said primary catheter and having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
251 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube, wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; a housing, wherein said proximal end of said primary catheter is secured to and opens into said housing; and bleed means responsive to supplying pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube movable in said annular space independently of said primary catheter and having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 15 wherein said bleed tube is selectively removable from said annular cylindrical space, wherein said housing has a bleed tube opening defined therein through which said bleed tube extends, said assembly further comprising bleed tube seal means for pressure-sealing said bleed tube opening against said bleed tube while permitting longitudinal movement of said bleed tube through said bleed tube opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
113 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 14 further comprising a housing, wherein said primary catheter includes a proximal end secured to and opening into said housing, wherein said housing includes an interior housing region in flow communication with said annular space and an access opening through which said seal tube extends into said interior region and into said primary catheter, and further including dynamic seal means surrounding said seal tube proximate said access opening to permit longitudinal movement of said seal tube through said access opening while providing a pressure seal about said seal tube at said access opening, said dynamic seal means comprising an annular elastomeric member disposed about said seal tube.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
217 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube, wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to said interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said interior wall, said predetermined length of said interior wall being recessed from said distal end of said primary catheter by a distance which is at least equal to said predetermined length.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
217 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated hollow tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter disposed within said primary catheter and having an open head end, said everting catheter comprising a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces, wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said inner surface of said collapsible tube, wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally cylindrical space between itself and the interior wall of said primary catheter; and means for selectively everting said everting catheter including means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward; wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to said interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said interior wall, said predetermined length of said interior wall being recessed from said distal end of said primary catheter by a distance which is at least equal to said predetermined length.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
110 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias-cut end bonded within said everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
110 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias-cut end bonded within said everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
126 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 19 further comprising: a housing, said proximal end of said primary catheter being secured to and opening into said housing; wherein said everting catheter is a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces; wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space within said interior wall of said primary catheter; and bleed means responsive to application of pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the evertedmost end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 20 wherein said bleed tube is selectively removable from said annular cylindrical space, wherein said housing has a bleed tube opening defined therein through which said bleed tube extends, said assembly further comprising bleed tube seal means for pressure sealing said bleed tube opening against said bleed tube while permitting longitudinal movement of said bleed tube through said bleed tube opening.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 20 wherein said open head end of said everting catheter is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said interior surface of said collapsible tube, and wherein said means for selectively everting includes means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 19 wherein said head end of said everting catheter is open and is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter tube in an orientation where the open head end faces away from said distal end of said primary catheter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
202 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; a housing, wherein the primary catheter has a proximal end, opposite said distal end, which is secured to and opens into said housing; wherein said everting catheter is a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces; wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space with said interior wall of said primary catheter; and bleed means responsive to the application of pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube movable in said annular cylindrical space independently of said primary catheter and having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
202 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; a housing, wherein the primary catheter has a proximal end, opposite said distal end, which is secured to and opens into said housing; wherein said everting catheter is a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces; wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space with said interior wall of said primary catheter; and bleed means responsive to the application of pressurized fluid to said annular cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube movable in said annular cylindrical space independently of said primary catheter and having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
92 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 24 wherein said head end of said everting catheter is open and secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter along a predetermined length of said interior surface of said collapsible tube; and wherein said means for selectively everting includes means for pressurizing said annular cylindrical space to evert at least a portion of said everting catheter along said interior wall and out through said distal end of said primary catheter with the inner surface of the everted portion of said collapsible tube facing outward.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 24 wherein said head end of said everting catheter is open and is secured to the interior wall of said primary catheter tube in an orientation where the open head end faces away from said distal end of said primary catheter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
67 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 24 wherein said bleed tube is selectively removable from said annular cylindrical space, wherein said housing has a bleed tube opening defined therein through which said bleed tube extends, said assembly further comprising bleed tube seal means for pressure sealing said bleed tube opening against the bleed tube while permitting longitudinal movement of said bleed tube within said bleed tube opening.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 27 wherein said means for supplying pressurized fluid includes fitting means secured to said housing for conducting pressurized fluid into said housing interior region, syringe means removably secured to said housing for injecting pressurized fluid through said fitting means and into said housing interior region, and selectively actuable valve means for selectively opening and blocking flow to said fitting means from said syringe means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The catheter assembly according to claim 28 wherein said fitting means includes a flow passage formed integrally with said housing and oriented to conduct pressurized fluid to said housing interior region, and wherein said bleed tube extends through said flow passage to said bleed tube opening.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
238 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; a housing, wherein the primary catheter has a proximal end, opposite said distal end, which is secured to and opens into said housing; wherein said everting catheter is a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces; wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space with said interior wall of said primary catheter; and bleed means responsive to the application of pressurized fluid to said annulay cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias cut end disposed within and bonded to the everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
238 words
A catheter assembly comprising: a primary catheter in the form of an elongated tube having an interior wall and an open distal end; an everting catheter having a head end secured to said interior wall, said everting catheter being disposed within said primary catheter; means for selectively everting said everting catheter from within said primary catheter and out through the distal end of said primary catheter; a housing, wherein the primary catheter has a proximal end, opposite said distal end, which is secured to and opens into said housing; wherein said everting catheter is a thin-walled flexible and collapsible tube having inner and outer surfaces; wherein said outer surface of said collapsible tube defines a generally annular cylindrical space with said interior wall of said primary catheter; and bleed means responsive to the application of pressurized fluid to said annulay cylindrical space for bleeding pre-existing fluid from that space, said bleed means comprising a bleed tube having an open forward end disposed in said annular cylindrical space proximate the everted-most end of said collapsible tube, and an opposite end disposed in a relatively low pressure environment exteriorly of said housing; wherein said everting catheter has an open tail end longitudinally opposite said open head end, said assembly further including a seal tube of greater rigidity than said everting catheter and having a bias cut end disposed within and bonded to the everting catheter at said open tail end.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
162 words
The method of securing a thin-walled flexible and collapsible everting catheter tube to the interior wall of a primary catheter tube having a distal end, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the everting catheter tube into a hollow mandrel tube with a short length at the head end of the everting catheter tube turned inside out and folded back onto the outside surface of the mandrel; positioning the mandrel and the inserted everting catheter tube within the primary catheter tube such that the head end of the everting catheter tube faces away from the distal end of the primary catheter tube; wherein the outside diameter of the mandrel tube combined with the thickness of the folded-over short length of the everting catheter tube places the short length of the everting catheter tube in contact with the interior wall of the primary catheter; and bonding the short length of the everting catheter tube to the interior wall of the primary catheter tube.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
162 words
The method of securing a thin-walled flexible and collapsible everting catheter tube to the interior wall of a primary catheter tube having a distal end, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the everting catheter tube into a hollow mandrel tube with a short length at the head end of the everting catheter tube turned inside out and folded back onto the outside surface of the mandrel; positioning the mandrel and the inserted everting catheter tube within the primary catheter tube such that the head end of the everting catheter tube faces away from the distal end of the primary catheter tube; wherein the outside diameter of the mandrel tube combined with the thickness of the folded-over short length of the everting catheter tube places the short length of the everting catheter tube in contact with the interior wall of the primary catheter; and bonding the short length of the everting catheter tube to the interior wall of the primary catheter tube.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 31 wherein the step of positioning includes positioning said short length of the everting catheter in spaced relation with respect to the distal end of the primary catheter tube.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 32 further comprising the steps of: stretching the tail end of said everting catheter, located opposite said head end, to overlap beyond a bias cut at the end of a seal tube of suitable size to be inserted longitudinally into said primary catheter and of sufficient rigidity to be longitudinally displaced in said primary catheter from outside said primary catheter; and bonding the overlapping lengths of the everting catheter and seal tube together.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of securing the tail end of an everting catheter in a catheter assembly comprising the steps of: inserting the tail end of an everting catheter to overlap beyond a bias cut at the end of a seal tube of suitable size to be inserted longitudinally into a primary catheter from which the everting is to be everted and of sufficient rigidity to be longitudinally displaced in said primary catheter from outside said primary catheter; and bonding the overlapping lengths of the everting catheter and seal tube together.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
89 words
The method of securing the tail end of an everting catheter in a catheter assembly comprising the steps of: inserting the tail end of an everting catheter to overlap beyond a bias cut at the end of a seal tube of suitable size to be inserted longitudinally into a primary catheter from which the everting is to be everted and of sufficient rigidity to be longitudinally displaced in said primary catheter from outside said primary catheter; and bonding the overlapping lengths of the everting catheter and seal tube together.