Access device

Abstract

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 . An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient, comprising:
 (a) a hollow needle comprising a needle body comprising a sharp distal tip, the needle body further comprising a proximal end that is supported by a needle hub, the sharp distal tip forming an opening and the needle body further comprising a side wall defining at least one side opening therein; and   (b) an insertion assembly, comprising:
 (i) a catheter comprising a catheter tube and a catheter hub at a proximal end thereof, the catheter tube configured to be coaxially disposed over at least a portion of the needle with the catheter hub being disposed distal the needle hub; and 
 (ii) a locking mechanism configured to allow slideable extension of the needle within the insertion assembly, 
 wherein, when the needle is withdrawn through a portion of the insertion assembly, the locking mechanism engages so as to prevent further travel of the needle with respect to the locking mechanism to isolate the sharp distal tip of the needle body and prevent inadvertent needle sticks. 
   
     
     
         2 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 :
 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a binding element;   wherein the binding element comprises an unlocked position configured to allow translation of the needle with respect to the insertion assembly along a longitudinal axis of the needle; and   wherein the binding element comprises a locked position restraining motion of the needle with respect to the insertion assembly upon a specified amount of withdrawal of the needle into the insertion assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The insertion tool of  claim 2 , wherein the binding element acts to bind the needle in place to prevent further travel of the needle with respect to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the insertion assembly encloses the sharp distal tip of the needle body upon engagement of the locking mechanism with the needle. 
     
     
         5 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion assembly further comprises:
 a base configured to be releasably engaged to the catheter hub,   wherein, upon engagement of the locking mechanism with the needle, the catheter hub may be disengaged from the base so as to separate the catheter from the insertion assembly and the needle, the sharp distal tip of the needle body remaining isolated within the insertion assembly.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a guide wire disposed within the hollow needle and comprising a proximal end disposed at or near the needle hub,   wherein a distal end of the guide wire is configured to be advanced distally within the hollow needle such that the distal end extends out of the sharp distal tip of the needle body.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 :
 wherein the catheter hub is releasably secured to the insertion assembly; and   wherein the catheter hub is configured to be detached to separate the catheter from the insertion assembly and the needle bound thereto.   
     
     
         10 . A method for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient, comprising:
 inserting a sharp distal tip of a hollow needle into a lumen of a body of a patient, the sharp distal tip forming an opening and the needle further comprising a side wall defining at least one side opening therein, at least a portion of the needle being coaxially disposed within a catheter of an insertion assembly, the catheter comprising a catheter tube and a catheter hub at a proximal end thereof, the needle supported by a needle hub disposed proximal the catheter hub, the insertion assembly further comprising a locking mechanism configured to allow slideable extension of the needle within the insertion assembly;   advancing the catheter distally over the needle and into the lumen so that the sharp distal tip of the needle is proximally withdrawn into the insertion assembly; and   engaging the locking mechanism of the insertion assembly so as to prevent further travel of the needle with respect to the locking mechanism, thereby isolating the sharp distal tip of the needle to prevent inadvertent needle sticks.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 :
 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 of the needle 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 assembly along a longitudinal axis of the needle and a locked position configured to constrain motion of the needle with respect to the insertion assembly; and   wherein, upon a specified amount of withdrawal of the needle into the insertion assembly, the binding element engages into the locked position.   
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 allowing flashback of blood through the side opening upon insertion of the needle into the lumen.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 advancing a distal end of a guide wire distally within the hollow needle such that the distal end extends out of the sharp distal tip of the needle.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guide wire further comprises a proximal end disposed at or near the needle hub. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter hub is releasably secured to the insertion assembly, the method further comprising:
 detaching the catheter hub from the insertion assembly to separate the catheter from the insertion assembly and the needle bound thereto.   
     
     
         19 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein the side opening is adapted to permit the flow of blood therethrough and out of the needle body. 
     
     
         20 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises at least one wing for moving the catheter. 
     
     
         21 . The insertion tool of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one wing is coupled to the catheter hub and is removable from at least a portion of the catheter hub. 
     
     
         22 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter hub comprises a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         23 . The insertion tool of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one finger element. 
     
     
         24 . The insertion tool of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the guide wire near the distal end of the guide wire comprises a reduced diameter in comparison to at least one other section of the guide wire. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter further comprises at least one wing for moving the catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one wing is coupled to the catheter hub. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising removing the at least one wing from at least a portion of the catheter hub. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter hub comprises a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one finger element. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the guide wire near the distal end of the guide wire comprises a reduced diameter in comparison to at least one other section of the guide wire.