ACCESS DEVICE
An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator disposed on and slideable along the elongated body of the needle and a medical article. The medical article is disposed on and slideable along the dilator. A track extends in a proximal direction from the dilator. The needle hub slides along at least a portion of the track between a first position and a second position. The device further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed between the track and the needle hub so as to inhibit further axial movement of the needle in the proximal direction when the needle hub is in the second position.
1 . A method for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient using a catheter insertion tool, the insertion tool including a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, and an at least partially hollow needle distally extending from the housing, a guidewire having a distal end initially pre-disposed within the needle, the method comprising:
inserting the needle extending from the insertion tool into the patient;
advancing the guidewire out the distal end of the needle and into the patient via a guidewire advancement assembly of the insertion tool;
advancing the catheter into the patient; and
detaching the insertion tool from the catheter.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detaching the insertion tool further comprises isolating a distal tip of the needle from a user.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein isolating the distal tip comprises retracting the needle into the housing.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein detaching the insertion tool comprises removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter via separation of the housing from the catheter.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the catheter is initially pre-disposed over the needle, and wherein advancing the catheter further comprises advancing the catheter into the patient over the needle.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein isolating the distal tip further comprises locking motion of the needle with respect to the housing upon the distal tip being retracted into the housing.
7 . The method of claim 6 , the insertion tool comprising a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to allow slideable extension of the needle within the insertion tool;
wherein retracting the needle into the housing comprises advancing the catheter distally over the needle into the body so that the distal tip of the needle is advanced into the housing; and
engaging the locking mechanism of the insertion tool so as to prevent further travel of the needle with respect to the locking mechanism, thereby isolating the distal tip of the needle within the housing.
8 . The method of claim 7 :
wherein the locking mechanism comprises a binding element;
wherein engaging the locking mechanism comprises engaging the binding element to bind the needle in place to prevent further travel with respect to the locking mechanism;
wherein the binding element comprises an unlocked position configured to allow translation of the needle with respect to the insertion tool along a longitudinal axis of the needle and a locked position configured to constrain motion of the needle with respect to the insertion tool; and
wherein upon a specified amount of withdrawal of the needle into the insertion assembly, the binding element engages into the locked position.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the binding element acts to bind motion of the needle in place to prevent further travel with respect to the locking mechanism.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the needle comprises a notch proximal the distal tip, the notch defined through the wall of the needle to form a side opening in the needle, the method further comprising:
allowing flashback of blood through the notch upon insertion of the needle into the lumen.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the guide wire advancement assembly comprises a tab disposed on a proximal end of the guidewire at or near a needle hub coupled to the needle.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sliding motion of the insertion tool over the needle is axially constrained along a track coupled to the insertion tool.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the catheter is releasably secured to the insertion tool, the method further comprising:
wherein detaching the insertion tool from the catheter comprises separating the catheter from the housing, the distal tip of the needle being isolated within the housing via the locking mechanism.
14 . A method for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient using a catheter insertion tool, the insertion tool including a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, and an at least partially hollow needle distally extending from the housing, a guidewire having a distal end initially pre-disposed within the needle, the method comprising:
inserting the needle extending from the insertion tool into the patient;
advancing the guidewire out the distal end of the needle and into the patient via a guidewire advancement assembly of the insertion tool;
advancing the catheter into the patient;
isolating a distal tip of the needle within the insertion tool; and
detaching the insertion tool from the catheter.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein isolating the distal tip comprises retracting the needle into the housing.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein detaching the insertion tool comprises removing the needle and the guidewire from the catheter via separation of the housing from the catheter.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein isolating the distal tip further comprises locking motion of the needle with respect to the housing upon the distal tip being retracted into the housing.
18 . The method of claim 17 , the insertion tool comprising a locking mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to allow slideable extension of the needle within the insertion tool;
wherein retracting the needle into the housing comprises advancing the catheter distally over the needle into the body so that the distal tip of the needle is advanced into the housing; and
engaging the locking mechanism of the insertion tool so as to prevent further travel of the needle with respect to the locking mechanism, thereby isolating the distal tip of the needle within the housing.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the guide wire advancement assembly comprises a tab disposed on a proximal end of the guidewire at or near a needle hub coupled to the needle.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein sliding motion of the insertion tool over the needle is axially constrained along a track coupled to the insertion tool.