Importance

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Abstract

A catheter placement unit for use with an introducer needle and an introducer catheter including a hollow tube and a fitting at one of its ends. The placement unit comprises a connector having an internal bore and including a male fitting member for mating with the catheter fitting to provide a connection. A protective sheath is secured to the connector and it includes a hole, closable elastic member or the like in its periphery for allowing insertion of the needle therethrough and into the bore of the connector. A length of flexible, hollow catheter tubing is movably positioned within and enclosed by the sheath. A method of placing a catheter into a patient includes the steps of mating a connector of a catheter placement unit, substantially as described above, to a fitting on an introducer catheter. A needle is inserted through the periphery of the sheath and through the connector into the lumen of the introducer catheter so that the tip of the needle extends slightly beyond its end. The introducer catheter and needle are inserted into a patient. While leaving the introducer catheter in position in the patient, the needle is withdrawn from the unit. With the flexible hollow tubing still enclosed by the sheath, it is manipulated internally through the connector and the introducer catheter and then into the patient.

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First Claim