Catheter positioning system

Abstract

A catheter positioning system includes a catheter needle assembly comprising a catheter having a permanent hub and a needle carried in the catheter lumen. A releasable clamp is used to compress the catheter against the needle to prevent axial movement of one relative to the other. The clamp is periodically released after being moved a short distance toward the target vessel or nerve and is repositioned a short distance from the skin entry point to further advance the catheter needle assembly. The clamp is configured to be removed from the catheter by movement in a direction other than along the longitudinal axis of the catheter while the catheter hub remains in place. After successful placement of the catheter, the clamp may be snapped apart or opened along a hinge without moving the catheter from its final position.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: 
     
         1 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter within a target vessel, the catheter having a distal end, a proximal end having a hub permanently affixed thereto and a lumen, a needle within the lumen and a clamp having separable components positioned on the catheter, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) extending a tip of the needle beyond the distal end of the catheter,   b) precluding movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter by engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle,   c) advancing the catheter and needle at a skin entry point through dermal layers toward and into the target vessel by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,   d) disengaging the clamp when the distal end of the catheter is at a desired position within the vessel,   e) withdrawing the needle while maintaining the catheter in position, and   f) removing the clamp from the catheter by separating the separable components.   
     
     
         2 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein step f) is performed by:
 snapping the separable components apart. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein step f) is performed by:
 releasing a latch. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein step f) is performed by:
 rotating the components about a hinge. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein one of the components comprises a collar and step f) is performed by:
 rotating the collar. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein step b) includes positioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the distal end of the catheter before engaging the clamp. 
     
     
         7 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein step c) includes positioning and engaging the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, advancing the catheter and needle until the clamp approaches the skin entry point and if the distal end of the catheter is not at a desired end position within the vessel, releasing and repositioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, reengaging the clamp and continuing to advance the catheter and needle. 
     
     
         8 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter within a vascular system, the catheter having a distal end, a proximal end having a hub permanently affixed thereto and a lumen, a needle having a shaft within the lumen and a clamp positioned on the catheter, the clamp having separable components, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) extending a tip of the needle beyond the distal end of the catheter,   b) precluding movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter by engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft,   c) advancing the catheter and needle at a skin entry point through dermal layers and toward a jugular vein of the vascular system by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,   d) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter when the distal end of the catheter is at a first position within the jugular vein,   e) partially withdrawing the needle shaft until the needle tip lies within the catheter lumen while maintaining the distal end of the catheter at the first position,   f) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft and advancing the catheter and needle further into the vascular system,   g) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter and withdrawing the needle shaft from the catheter lumen while maintaining the distal end of the catheter at a second position within the vascular system,   h) engaging the clamp to grip the catheter and advancing the catheter within the jugular vein until the distal end of the catheter is at a desired final position within the vascular system,   i) removing the clamp from the catheter by separating the components, and   j) affixing the catheter to the skin adjacent the skin entry point.   
     
     
         9 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step i) is performed by snapping the separable components apart. 
     
     
         10 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step i) is performed by releasing a latch. 
     
     
         11 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step i) is performed by rotating the components about a hinge. 
     
     
         12 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein one of the components comprises a collar and step i) is performed by rotating the collar. 
     
     
         13 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step b) includes positioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the distal end of the catheter before engaging the clamp. 
     
     
         14 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step c) includes positioning and engaging the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, advancing the catheter and needle toward and/or into the jugular vein until the clamp approaches the skin entry point and if the distal end of the catheter is not at a desired position within the vascular system, releasing and repositioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, reengaging the clamp and continuing to advance the catheter and needle. 
     
     
         15 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 8  wherein step h) includes positioning and engaging the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, advancing the catheter within the vascular system until the clamp approaches the skin entry point and if the distal end of the catheter is not at a desired end position within the vascular system, releasing and repositioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, reengaging the clamp and continuing to advance the catheter. 
     
     
         16 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the target vessel comprises a jugular vein. 
     
     
         17 . A method for intravascular placement of a flexible catheter in accordance with  claim 16  wherein step f) is performed by:
 snapping the separable components apart. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter within a vascular system, the catheter having a distal end, a proximal end having a hub permanently affixed thereto and a lumen, a needle having a shaft within the lumen and a clamp positioned on the catheter, the clamp having separable components, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) extending a tip of the needle beyond the distal end of the catheter,   b) precluding movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter by engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft,   c) advancing the catheter and needle at a skin entry point through dermal layers and toward a jugular vein of the vascular system by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,   d) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter when the distal end of the catheter is at a first position within the jugular vein,   e) partially withdrawing the needle shaft until the needle tip lies within the catheter lumen while maintaining the distal end of the catheter at the first position,   f) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft and advancing the catheter and needle further into the vascular system,   g) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter and withdrawing the needle shaft from the catheter lumen while maintaining the distal end of the catheter at a second position within the vascular system,   h) inserting a flexible wire into the catheter,   i) precluding movement of the flexible wire relative to the catheter by engaging the clamp to compress the catheter lumen against the flexible wire and advancing the catheter and flexible wire within the vascular system until the distal end of the catheter is at a desired final position,   j) removing the clamp from the catheter by separating the components,   k) withdrawing the flexible wire and   l) affixing the catheter to the skin adjacent the skin entry point.   
     
     
         19 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter within a vascular system in accordance with  claim 18  wherein step i) is performed by snapping the separable components apart. 
     
     
         20 . A method of CVC placement of a flexible catheter within a vascular system in accordance with  claim 18  wherein step c) includes positioning and engaging the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point, advancing the catheter and needle through the skin entry point until the clamp approaches the skin entry point and if the distal end of the catheter is not at a desired end position within the vessel, releasing and repositioning the clamp approximately 2 cm from the skin entry point.