Importance

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Abstract

A tissue-penetrating catheter device for use within the body consists of: an outer catheter assembly including an outer catheter having distal and proximal ends, and a terminal member joined to the proximal end; an inner catheter assembly including an inner catheter extending within the outer catheter and having distal and proximal ends, and defining a conduit therethrough, a fluid connector at the proximal end for connecting the conduit to a fluid flow device, and a tissue-penetrating element, e.g., a needle, at the distal end sized to enter the distal end of the outer catheter. Also included are: structure for moving the inner catheter axially with respect to the outer catheter in a manner to move the needle axially between a protected position in which the tissue-penetrating means is disposed within the outer catheter and a projected position with the needle projecting beyond the outer catheter, exposed to enter tissue; and a pair of cooperating stop surfaces associated with respective portions of the catheter assemblies for limiting the distance of relative distal axial movement of the catheters. One of the stop surfaces is carried by a presettable, axially adjustable member capable of being selectably positioned along its catheter assembly to enable the physician to preselect the amount of projection of the needle from the outer catheter when the inner catheter assembly is moved to projected position.

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First Claim