GB2033236A

GB2033236A - Device for Introducing a Catheter or Probe into a Blood Vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2033236A
Application number: GB7936141A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Technological Supply SA
Current assignee: Technological Supply SA
Priority date: 1978-10-25
Filing date: 1979-10-18
Publication date: 1980-05-21
Also published as: BE879600A; ES246040Y; FR2439591A1; GB2033236B; ES246040U; FR2439591B1

Abstract

A device for introducing a catheter or probe into a blood vessel, has an elongate sheath (5) of plastics material having a longitudinal slit (6). The sheath (5) is introduced into a blood vessel by sliding it along a perforator (2) which is inserted into a needle puncture in the blood vessel wall. The slit allows the sheath to expand to accommodate a probe or catheter of diameter greater than its internal diameter and facilitates removal of the sheath while the probe or catheter is still in place. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements In or Relating to Devices for Introducing a Cathether or Probe into a Blood Vessel The present invention relates to a device for the introduction of a catheter or a probe into a blood vessel.

A device ("DESILET") is known intended for this use and which comprises in particular a tube of plastic material to be introduced into the blood vessel to allow the passage of the catheter or probe inside the tube right into the vessel, said tube constituting a kind of sheath permitting the sliding of the catheter or probe.

An object of the invention is to permit the introduction of a catheter or a probe of greater diameter than that of the sheath.

Another object of the invention is to permit the introduction of a probe having a retaining cone or hook, as is the case with permanent stimulation probes.

Another object of the invention is again to provide a retractable sheath.

According to the invention the sheath of the device is a tube of plastic material slit along its entire length and which comprises, preferably, a free and flared out proximal end.

A description will be given hereinafter of an example of embodiment of said sheath, with reference to the figures of the attached drawing in which:~ Figure 1 is an elevation of the parts which make up the device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of two of the parts of this device, and Figures 3 and 4 represent partly permanent stimulation probes which can be placed in position by means of the device of the invention.

The device represented in Figure 1 comprises a perforator 1 made of a tube of plastic material 2 the distal end 3 of which is blunted, so that its penetration into the flesh is neither too traumatizing or difficult, and the proximal end of which is provided with a base 4, preferably a base of plastic material for connection to an apparatus in a manner known per se.

Onto the tube 2 of the perforator it is possible to thread a sheath 5 constituted by a tube of plastic material which, according to the invention is slit longitudinally, said slit being represented by the continuous line 6 in Figure 1. This sheath 5 has a distal end 7 which is blunted so as to ensure a certain degree of continuity between the perforator and said sheath and when the latter is mounted on the former (Figure 2), while it has a proximal end 8 which is slightly flared out to be able to fit easily on a forward conical end 9 of the base 4 (Figure 2) until it abuts on a projecting surface 10 which said base has at the rear end of the conical end. In this way the shifting of the sheath relative to the perforator is avoided on entry into the flesh.

The device may be completed, in a manner known per se, by a flexible metal guide 11 (Figure 1) adjusted so that the perforator can slide with slight friction on the guide, and by a needle (not represented) to puncture the vein.

In a manner known per so the vein is punctured by means of the needle; the flexible metal guide is introduced into the latter, the needle is withdrawn, the perforator onto which the slit sheath is mounted is threaded onto the guide, and the perforator and guide are withdrawn, thus leaving the sheath alone in position in the blood vessel, and available to receive a catheter, a probe or the like.

If the outer diameter of the catheter or probe is greater than the inner diameter of the sheath, introduction is still possible as the presence of the slit permits the expansion of the sheath.

If the probe 12 has a retaining cone 13 (Figure 3) or a retaining hook 14 (Figure 4), the introduction is still possible due to the fact that the lips of the sheath open when said cone or said hook pass, and close up again when they have passed the distal end 8; in this way any loss of blood is avoided if the closed sheath has an inner diameter identical with the current outer diameter of the stimulation probe.

Finally, if it is desired to withdraw the sheath leaving the catheter or probe in position, it will be sufficient to remove it from the flesh and to peel it as one would peel a banana, while retraction would not be possible if it were necessary to have the sheath slide along the catheter as one would come up against the connection with which the catheter or probe is generally fitted.

Finally, it should be noted that the flaring out of the proximal end 8 of the sheath facilitates the introduction of the probe or catheter into said sheath. This flaring out is also an external abutment which will prevent the disappearance of the sheath into the vein.

The invention is not limited to a particular choice of material for the slit sheath. Preferably, polypropylene is used.

Claims

1. A device for the introduction of a catheter or a probe into a blood vessel, said device comprising a tubular sheath of plastic material to be introduced into the blood vessel to allow the passage of the catheter or probe inside the sheath right into the blood vessel, characterised in that said sheath is slit throughout its length.

2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the sheath has a free and flared out proximal end.

3. A device according to Claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a tube of plastic material intended to be used as a perforator which passes inside the sheath and which has a base onto which the flared out end of the sheath fits.

4. A device according to Claim 3, characterised in that said base has a surface onto which the flared out end of the sheath abuts.

5. A device according to Claim 3 or 4, characterised in that it comprises a spiralled metal guide adjusted so as to slide with slight friction into the perforator tube.

6. A device for the introduction of a catheter or probe into a blood vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.