IL45477A

IL45477A - Vein catheter devices and hollow pointed puncture needles for use therein

Info

Publication number: IL45477A
Application number: IL45477A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Boehringer Sohn Ingelheim
Priority date: 1973-08-16
Filing date: 1974-08-15
Publication date: 1977-08-31
Also published as: BR7406773D0; NL177000B; FR2245379B1; NO135853B; MX144381A; CH584039A5; NO742931L; FI62464C; NL7410931A; NL177000C; SE7410391L; CA1032845A; IT1018968B; NO135853C; CH588261A5; GB1476643A; FI242174A; JPS59137U; SE419941B; AU7242974A

Description

C.H. BOEHRINGER SOH The present invention relates to novel vein catheter devices and to hollow pointed puncture needles for use therein.

Vein catheters are usually inserted into the vein of a subject by means of a hollow needle which is then withdrawn to avoid damage to the walls of the vein. The catheter remains fixed in the subject and is connected to a source of infusion liquid. Fixing can conveniently be effected by means of flaps on the catheter which are pressed against the skin and e.g. as described in.German Offenlegungsschrift 1929050 secured there by plaster.

It has been proposed that these flaps should be pivotable about the catheter so that they can be gripped and can thus facilitate insertion of the catheter. However, it is very expensive from a manufucturing standpoint to fit such pivotable flaps and the presence of the flaps renders more difficult the satisfactory packing of the device. In addition, due to their relatively large surface area the sterilisation of such catheters which is nowadays normally effected by irradiation is generally more expensive than with devices having smaller surface areas . | Furthermore, when inserting the catheter it is a matter of considerable importance to ensure that the needle is correctly positioned in the vien in order to j avoid damage to the walls of the vien and resulting pain to the subject. During insertion, it is generally-desirable that the point of the needle should be maintained in the top or more preferbly the bottom position when viewing the needle from its pointed end. The correct insertion of the needle is rendered difficult by the fact that the point of the needle is invisible after it has penetrated the skin so that the exact position of the point of the needle (eg. whether the point is being maintained in the desired top or bottom position) is not known to the person inserting the needle.

Moreover, since the needle must be inserted into the skin at an acute angle, allowance must be made when inserting the needle for the oblique movement of the needle and this raises further difficulties in locating the needle exactly in a particular vein.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a vein catheter device wherein the above-mentioned flaps in the previously described device are replaced as insertion aids by a hand-grip which is so shaped and constructedas to, facilitate the correct positioning of the needle in the vein.

According to one feature of the present invention there is provided a hollow pointed puncture needle for use in a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip attached to the end of the said needle remote from the needle point, the said hand-grip having two essentially concave surfaces which are adapted for gripping by the thumb and finger with the thumb uppermost and which are so angled with respect to the needle that when thus gripped the plane of the hand-grip (as herein defined) is at angle of at least 45° to the plane of the needle (as herein defined).

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is provided a vein catheter device comprising a vein catheter and a hollow pointed puncture needle according to the invention as hereinbefore defined movable axially in the said catheter.

The expression "plane of the needle" is used herein the indicate the plane passing through the axis of the needle which intersects the point of the needle. As explained above, when manipulating the needle it is generally desirable that the needle point be maintained in the top or more preferably the bottom position when viewing the needle from its pointed end; it is thus generally desirable that the plane of the needle should be maintained approximately vertical.

The expression "plane of the hand-grip" is used ^N, herein to indicate the plane passing through the axis (or extended axis) of the needle which intersects the central point of the narrow side of the hand-grip.

When the concave surfaces have a common edge i.e. they meet at the narrow side of the hand-grip, the central point is the mid-point along the length of this common edge and it is this mid-point which is intersected by the plane of the hand-grip. When the concave surfaces do not have a common edge i.e. they do not meet but remain spaced apart at the narrow side of the hand-grip, the central point is a point halfway between the midpoints along the lengths of the edges of the concave surfaces situated at the narrow side of the hand-grip.

In accordance with the invention, when the handgrip is gripped between the thumb and finger (the thumb and forefinger being in general conveniently used) with the thumb uppermost the plane of the hand-grip is at an angle of at least 45° to the plane of the needle. When using the needle to puncture a vein, the manipulator cannot see the position of the point of the needle following piercing of the subject's skin but providing that the plane of the hand-grip is maintained at an approximately constant angle to the vertical the position of the needle point when viewed from the pointed end of the needle will remain approximately the same. Thus for example if the angle between the plane of the hand-grip and the plane of the needle is about 75°, a generally preferred angle, and upon first inserting the needle point the plane of the hand-grip is held at an angle of about 75° from the vertical then the point of the needle will be approximately at the bottom position when viewing the needle from the pointed end. Upon continuing the puncturing operation, providing the plane of the hand¬ grip is maintained at an angle of about 75° to the vertical the point of the needle will remain in approximately the desired bottom position. The precise angle between the plane of the hand-grip and the plane of the needle will depend upon the precise shape of the essentially concave surface of the hand-grips; the aim is thus to adopt an angle which provides a comfortable manipulating position when gripping by the thumb and finger with the thumb uppermost and maintaining the plane of the needle vertical. The position which is j most comfortable will depend upon the shaping of the essentically concave surfaces but in general an angle of from 45° to 90° between the plane of the hand-grip and the plane of the needle is desired. As stated above a generally preferred angle has been found to be about 75°. ^ ■ ' I In accordance with one particularly preferred I feature of; the present invention, the hand-grip provides a receptacle for the reception of blood released upon i puncture of a vein by the needle.' Thus, where the hand¬ grip is a receptacle, upon puncturing a vein blood can flow along the needle into the receptacle. To facilitate the flow of blood, the hand-grip is advantageously provided with at least one air-permeable surface through which air can be displaced upon reception of blood therein.

Also the hand-grip preferably has at least one transparent or translucent wall whereby blood received into the hand¬ grip is visible to the manipulator of the needle thereby providing an indication of when a vein has been successfully punctured. Fluting or facetting on the transparent, or translucent wall or walls can if desired be provided to facilitate the observation of blood received into the hand-grip.

The use of a hand-grip which also serves us a receptacle for blood, from a punctured vein represents / an important aspect of the present invention.

According to a further feature of the invention, there is thus provided a hollow pointed puncture needle for use in a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip attached to the end of the said needle remote from the needle point, the said hand-grip providing a receptacle for the reception of blood released upon puncture of a vein by the needle.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip has a three-sided cross-section in a plane at right angles to the plane of the needle, two of the said sides providing the essentially concave surfaces and the third side joining the non-common edges of the essentially concave surfaces. The said third side can be flat, convex or concave as desired. When the hand-grip is in this form, it is with advantage so shaped that straight lines joining the corner points of the hand-grip cross- section form the approximate shape of an isosceles triangle. In one preferred shape of hand-grip, the two straight lines extending across the concave surfaces form an angle of about 30° with one another and an angle of about 75° with the third straight line. The hand-grip preferably tapers towards the end thereof remote from the point of the needle.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hand-grip has a four-sided cross-section in a plane at right angles to. the plane of the needle, two opposite sides providing the essentially concave surfaces, a third narrow side joining adjacent edges of the concave surfaces, and a fourth side joining the more spaced apart edges of the concave surfaces . The hand- grip thus has an approximately trapezoidal cross-section.

Again the hand-grip preferably tapers towards the end i . - thereof remote from tfye point of the needle.

In vein catheter devices according to the invention, the catheter may be formed from a flexible plastic (e.g. Teflon) as this material does not cause thrombosis and is X-ray permeable.

As described above, flaps have been employed in previously described catheters to attach the catheters to the skin after insertion of the needle into a vein.

We have now found that it is possible to avoid the use of flaps by replacing these with a separate fixing member which is attached to the said apparatus when required. This fixing member may for example comprise a base, advantageously a rectangular base sheet of material e.g. in the form of a disc which can be made fromnetal e.g. aluminium but preferably from plastic.

The underside of the base is conveniently provided with means e.g. a plaster for securing the fixing member to the skin. On the upper side, preferably near the middle, of the said base a fixing unit is provided, said unit comprising clawsCe.g. four claws facing one another in pairs) made from resilient material. Where two pairs of claws are used, the pairs are preferably not immediately adjacent to one* another but are spaced a distance of a few mm apart leaving a space between them. The vein catheter is preferably adapted to co-operate with the above-described fixing units. Thus the catheter is preferably provided at is rear end with a thickened portion having at least one groove for co-operation with the fixing unit; when the fixing unit has two pairs of claws two grooves are provided which extend around the j thickened portion of the catheter with a ring of the thickened portion situated between the grooves. The width of this ring is such that it fits precisely in the above indicated space between the two pairs of claws of the fixing unit.

For the purpose of attaching the fixing unit to the catheter, the latter is placed on the top of the claws. On pressing down the catheter the two pairs of claws are forced apart as a result of their elasticity thus allowing the catheter to pass between them. After the insertion of the catheter the claws spring back to their original positions and grip the catheter at its grooves since the space enclosed by each pair of claws is approximately I circular and the diameter thereof corresponds approximately to that of the grooves of the catheter. In this way, the claws fit snugly against the catheter and grip it as securely as possible. .

Simultaneously with the penetration of the grooves between the pairs of claws upon pressing down the catheter, the ring located between the grooves is pressed down between the grooves into the space between the two pairs of claws. This leads to a very firm connection between the fixing unit and catheter which cannot be detached by chance movements.

Whilst the claws can if desired be so arranged as to locate the catheter in a position generally parallel to the skin of the subject, it is in general preferable that two pairs of claws be provided which in use support the vein catheter at an acute angle to the skin of the subject. This can be achieved by constructing the fixing unit with one pair of claws at a higher level than the second pair of claws.

The base of the above described fixing member can usefully be provided with a plurality of holes on either side of the ..fixing unit. These holes thus nake the fixing unit (which must be horizontally rigid) movable or flexible in the vertical direction. Also after use a chemical solvent can be trickled through the holes in order to facilitate removal of the base from the skin.

The use of a fixing member separate from the actual catheter not only has the advantage of cheaper manufacture, packing and sterilisation but in addition the device can be caused to lie completely flat on the patient's arm (so that no injuries can occur as a result of pressure applied to the apparatus) or be held at an acute angle as desired by using an appropriately constructed fixing member;.

The device according to the invention can also be adapted to provide the possibility during continuous transfusion (e.g. from a continuous dropper) of injecting other liquids such as medicament solutions without having to puncture a further vein or to break off the transfusion. In this embodiment, the catheter is fitted with a connector whereby an inlet for transfusion liquid into the catheter with the needle positioned in the catheter is provided. The said inlet for transfusion liquid is preferably at an acute angle to the axis of the catheter and can be connected through an adaptor to a reservoir of transfusion liquid. In a convenient arrangement a tubular connector . is used and the vein catheter terminates inside the tubular ;connector before the acute-angled inlet for transfusion liquid so that transfusion liquid entering through the inlet immediately flows into the catheter. The hollow needle however passes completely through the connector to the hand-grip which is located at the end of the needle remote from the point In order to allow a rapid removal of the needle after the catheter has been introduced, the connector preferably has a self-sealing closure member which can conveniently be made of rubber, through which the needle is in use withdrawn following puncturing of the vein. The self-sealing closure member then seals the end of the connecter and thereby prevents the escape of transfusion liquid after the needle has been removed.

In use, a very soft plastic tube approximately 20 to 25 cm long may be connected (e.g. by fusion) to the transfusion liquid inlet of the connector and thus to the' catheter . In turn, this tube may have at its end remote from th≥ catheter a female connection cone (e.g. a Luer or Luer-lock cone) which is intended for connection to a storage vessel for transfusion liquid. In this way by using the connection cone, e.g. when connecting or replacing the storage vessel, no injuries to the walls of the vein can take place as a. result of compressive or tensile strsses. A similar effect is also obtained by using a flexible catheter (e.g. made from Teflon) since the sharp tip of the puncture needle need no longer remain in the vein during the transfusion process.

If in addition to the transfusion liquid passing into the catheter from the reservoir via the tube and adaptor, it is desired to inject a further liquid, this can be effected (e.g. by means of a syringe) through the self-sealing closure member (which automatically seals on removing the puncture needle)-. Thus it is possible to inject any desired liquid into the catheter simultaneously with the introduction of transfusion liquid without the need for any further contact with the subject.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a base e.g. a flat sheet (in the manner of a web on the feet of aquatic birds) is provided on the underside of the above-mentioned connector fitted to the catheter. Such a base facilitates fixirg of the apparatus to the arm by means of a plaster. In this way, as a result of the simplified attachment of the catheter through; the connector to a storage vessel for transfusion liquid, a flat construction of the device is facilitated, so that the position of the catheter on the patients arm is also improved.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the catheter fitted with a connector as hereinbefore described is used together with a hollow puncture needle having an external longitudinally extending groove whereby in use transfusion liquid can be introduced through the inlet for transfusion liquid along the groove to the point of the needle whilst the needle is iri position in the catheter. Conveniently the groove extends the length of the needle parallel to the axis of the needle and is preferably situated at an angle of 45° to the plane of the needle.. The principal advantage of the groove is that in use infusion liquid can be introduced along the catheter to the point of the needle prior to use of the needle to puncture the vein. Then upon vein puncture with consequent flow of blood along the needle an air-free system is obtained. As the needle is removed following vein puncture the space occupied by the needle is filled by blood flowing from the vein and the air-free system is maintained. In practice, the maintainance of an air-.free system in this way is of importance in that the danger of air embolisms occuring is avoided.

The use of a grooved needle in conjuction with a catheter fitted with a connector as hereinbefore described represents an important aspect of the present invention.

According to a further feature of the present invention, there is thus provided a vein catheter i · device comprising a vein catheter, a hollow pointed puncture needle movable axially in the said catheter and a connector providing an inlet for transfusion liquid to the catheter whilst the meedle is axially positioned' in the catheter, the said hollow pointed puncture needle having an external longitudinally extending groove whereby in use transfusion liquid can be introduced through the. inlet for transfusion liquid along the groove to the point of the needle whilst' the needle is in position in the catheter.

Other advantageous constructional features such as are known from other apparatus, e.g. the use of an X-ray-opaque Teflon catheter, indicating the cannular size on the connecting cone as well as the so-called Luer-lock system for connecting 3-way cocks or tubes can be also be used with the devices according to the invention. The devices can be made in the usual sizes as well as constructions for use in special veins such as the V.subclavia, V.saphena magna or V. femoralis , or in the veins of the head.

The apparatus is advantageously packed in deep-drawn plastic foil with a so-called "peel-back".

. The apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various preferred embodiments of the invention.

I In the accompanying drawings Figures 1 - 6 illustrate a vein catheter according to the inventon provided with a fixing member for attachment to the skin of a subject, Figures 7 - 9 illustrate a vein catheter according to the invention provided with a connector, and Figures 10 - 11 illustrate a vein catheter of the type illustrated in Figures 1 - 6 but with an alternative form of hand-grip.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-6, Fig. 1 is a view of a catheter device in accordance with the invention diagonally from:the rear. A catheter 1 has a puncture needle 2 axially positioned therein. The catheter has a thickened portion 3 in which are formed two grooves 4 separated by the ring 5. At the end 8 of the puncture needle remote from the point a hand-grip 6 of approximately trapezoidal cross-section is provided. The hand-grip is hollow and forms a receptacl the needle being mounted in the hand-grip whereby upon puncturing a vein blood will flow along the hollow needle f-: and into the receptacle . The rear end 7 or the handgrip is an air permeable membrane. The remaining walls of the hand-grip are made of a facet-like fluted artificial glass.

Fig. 2 provides a plan' view of the fixing member. A base 9 is provided by a disc onvhich arenounted two pairs of claws 10 between which the catheter can be clamped. The disc is provided with holes 11 which allow some vertical movement of the claws 10 when the member is fixed to the skin of a patient.

Fig. 3 provides .a side view of the fixing i I member. The pairs of claws 10 are arranged to effect fixing of the catheter parallel to the skin of the subject. An adhesive layer 12 is provided on the underside of disc 9 to facilitate fixing of the disc to the skin of the subject.

Fig. 4 provides a side view of the catheter device .

Fig. 5 provides an enlarged perspective view of the point end of the needle 2. The point 14 of the needle is shown in the bottom position. The letter X indicates the plane of the needle passing through the needle axis 13 and intersecting the point of the needle 14.

Fig. 6 shows the catheter device of Fig. 1 viewed from the pointed needle end. The concave surfaces 15 and 16 of the hand-grip are shown,. Also the plane γ of the hand-grip and the plane X of the needle are marked and "a" indicates the angle between X and Y which in the embodiment illustrated is ^proximately 75°.

When using the needle to puncture a vein, the hand-grip will be held between thumb and finger with the thumb uppermost at the approximate angle illustrated in Fig. 6, i.e. with the plane of the needle approximately vertical.

.Referring next to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7-9, Fig. 7 is a view of a catheter device diagonall from the rear. The catheter 17 is shown with a puncture needle 18 in position. The catheter 17 is fitted with a plastic connector 19. A thin web-like plastic sheet base 20 is formed on the connector 19. The hand-grip 22 is constructed, similarly to the hand-grip of the device illustrated in Figs. 1,4 and 5 with an air-permable wall 23 and is fitted to the end 24 of the needle remote from the needle point. A rubber self-sealing closure member 21 is provided through which the needle can be withdrawn when a vein puncture has been effected. Adaptor 27 provides an inlet for transfusion liquid through connecting tube 25 made from very soft plastic material fixed to adaptor 27. The mounted female Luer cone 26 is provided to facilitate the connection of the device to a storage vessel for transfusion liquid.

In Fig. 8 the apparatus, according to Fig. 7 is shown from the rear . The reference numerals are the same as in Fig. 5 so that 19 represents the connector 21 the rubber self-sealing closure member; 25 the soft connecting tube and 27 the adaptor.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-section through the catheter and needle of the device. A groove 28 extends along the length of the outside of the needle 18. injection liquid can thus be introduced through adaptor 11 along the groove 28 to the point of the needle when the needle is in position as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7-9, the angle between the plane of the hand-grip and the plane of the needle is approximately 75°. Thus the hand-grip is fitted to the needle at an angle as illustrated in Fig. 6 for the previously illustrated embodiment.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate an embodimert with a differently shaped hand-grip. Fig. 10 is a view of the device diagonally from the rear. There is a catheter 29 with hollo puncture needle 30 therein. The catheter is provided with a thickened portion 31 in which are formed two grooves 32. At the end 35 of the puncture needle remote from the point a hand-grip 33 of approximately triangular cross-section is provided. The hand-grip is hollow'and forms a receptacle for blood from a f punctured vein. The rear end 34 of the hand-grip is an air-permeable : membrance; the remaining, walls of the hand-grip are made of facet-like fluted artificial glass.

Fig. 11 shows an end-view of λ he catheter device of Fig. 10. The concave surfaces 36 and 37 are shown. Also the plane of the hand-gripy as well as the plane X of the needle is marked and "a" indicates the angle between X and Y which in the embodiment illustrated is approximately 75°. - 21 - /

Claims

1. 45477/3: 1. A hollow pointed puncture needle or use in a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip attached to the end of the said needle remote from the needle point, said hand-grip haying two essentially concave surfaces which are adapted for gripping b the thumb and finger with the thumb uppermost and ¾hieh are so angled with respect to the needle that when thus gripped the plane of the hand-grip (as herein defined) is at an ang e of at least 45° to the plane of the needle (as herein defined) the said hand-grip providing a receptacle for the reception of blocd -released vtpon pimcture of a vei by the needle.

2. A puncture needle as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the hand-grip has at least on® air-permeable surface through which air can be displaced upon reception of blood therein. 3· A punoture needle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the hand-grip has at least one transparent or translucent wall whereby blood received into the hand-grip is visible to the manipulator of the needle. 4* A puncture needle as claimed in Claim , wherein: the hand-grip is fluted or facetted on its transparent or translucent nail or walls. 5· A puncture needle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hand-grip has a three-sided cross-section in a plane at right angles to the plane of the needle, two of the said sides providing the essentially concave surfaces and the third side joining the non-common edges of the essentially concave surfaces. 45477/5 6. A puncture needle as claimed In Claim 5# wherein straight lines joining the corner points of the said cross- ,j . section form, the approximate shape of an isosceles triangle. 7· A puncture needle as claimed in Claim 6, wherei the two straight lines extending across the concave surface orm an angle of about 30° with one another and angles of about 75° with the third straight line. 8. A puncture needle as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4» wherein the hand-grip has a four-sided cross-section in a plane at right angles to the plane of the needle, two opposite sides providing the essentially concave surfaces, a third narrow side joining adjacent edges of the concave surfaces, and a fourth side joining the more spaced apart edges of the concave surfaces* 9. A puncture needle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hand-grip tapers towards the end thereof remote from the point of the needle. 10. A puncture needle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the angle between the plane of the hand-grip and the plane of the needle is about 75°. 11. A hollo pointed puncture needle for use i a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip substantially as herein described. 12. A hollow pointed puncture needle for use in a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip substantially as illustrated In Figs. 1, 4 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. 13· A hollow pointed puncture needle for use in a vein catheter device which has a hand-grip substantially as illustrated In Figs. 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. 45477/5 14. A vein catheter device comprising a vein catheter and a hollow pointed puncture needle as claimed in any of the preceding claims movable axially In the said catheter* 1 · A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 14» wherein the catheter is composed of a flexible plasties material* 16. A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 14 o » wherein the catheter at Its rear end la provided with a thickened portion havin at least one groove ormed therein for cooperation with a fixing member for attaching the cathete to the akin of a subject. 17. A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 16. wherein the thickene portion of the catheter has two grooves formed therein. 18. A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 16 or 17 In combination with a fixing member or attaching the catheter to the ski of a subject* 9· A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the said fixing member comprises resillenly releasable attachment means which engage with the groove or grooves formed in the thickened portion of the catheter* 20. A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 1 » wherein the said fixing member comprises a base for securin to the skin of the subject, said base being provided with two pairs of claws made from a resilient material and adapted to engage two corresponding grooves in the thickened portion of the catheter. 45477/3 21. A vein catheter device as claimed In Claim 20, wherein the two pairs of claws are so arranged that in use the vein catheter la supported at a acute angle to the skin of the subject. 22· A vein catheter device ae claimed in Claim 20 or 2?, wherein the said base is in the form of a disc. 25. A vein catheter device ae claimed in any of Claims 20 to 22., wherein the base is made from plastic. 24· A vein catheter device as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 23, wherein the base is provided on its underside with adhesive means for securing the sheet to the skin of the subject. 25. A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said adhesive means comprise a plaster* 26. A vein catheter device as claimed In any of Claims 20 to 25, wherein the said base contains a plurality of perforations. 27· A vein catheter devic as claimed i an of Claims 14 to 26, wherein the catheter is fitted with a connector whereby an inlet for transfusion liquid into the cathete with the needle positioned In the catheter is provided. 28. A vein catheter device as claimed In Claim 27, wherein the connector has a self-sealing closure member located at the end of the connector remote from the point of the needle through which the needle is in use withdrawn following puncture of the vein. 29· A vein catheter device as claimed in Claim 28, wherein the olosure means upon withdrawal of the needle provides an Inlet means through which a liquid can be Injected into the 45477/3 catheter simultaneously with the introduction of transfusion liquid into the catheter through the inlet or transfusion illiquid. 30. A vein catheter device as claimed in any of Claims 27 to 29» wherein a base is provided on the underside of the said connector for fixing to the skin of the subject. 31. A vei catheter device as claimed in any o Claims 27 to 30, wherein the said needle has an external longitudinall extending groove whereby in use transfusion liquid can be introduced through the inlet for transfusion liquid along the groove to the point of the needle whilst the needle Is In position in the catheter. 32. A vein catheter device as claimed In Claim 31 » wherein the groove extends the length of the needle. 3

3. A vein catheter device substantially as herein described. 34· A vein catheter device substantially as herein , described with reference to Figs. T to of the accompanying drawings· 35· A vein catheter device substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings. 36. A vein catheter device substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.