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 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An access device for placing a medical article within a body space, comprising:
 a needle comprising a needle hub and an elongated needle body extending therefrom, the needle body comprising (i) a sharp distal tip that forms an opening and (ii) a side wall that defines at least one side opening therein;   a sheath comprising a sheath hub and an elongated sheath body extending therefrom, the sheath body configured to be coaxially disposed over at least a portion of the needle body, the sheath hub disposed distal of the needle hub; and   at least one wing coupled to the sheath hub, the at least one wing being removable from at least a portion of the sheath hub.   
     
     
         20 . The access device of  claim 19 , wherein the side opening is adapted to permit the flow of blood therethrough and out of the needle body. 
     
     
         21 . The access device of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath hub comprises a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         22 . The access device of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath hub comprises, near a proximal end thereof, a structure for mating or engaging with a corresponding structure. 
     
     
         23 . The access device of  claim 22 , wherein the structure of the sheath hub mates or engages with the corresponding structure via at least one of a mechanical fit or a friction fit. 
     
     
         24 . The access device of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath hub comprises, near a proximal end thereof, a lip. 
     
     
         25 . The access device of  claim 24 , wherein the lip comprises a thread. 
     
     
         26 . The access device of  claim 19 , wherein the sheath body comprises at least one of a clear, translucent, transparent, or semi-opaque material. 
     
     
         27 . The access device of  claim 19  further comprising a locking mechanism that, when unlocked, allows slideable movement of the needle and that, when locked, prevents further travel of the needle relative to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         28 . The access device of  claim 27 , wherein the sharp distal tip of the needle body is isolated to prevent inadvertent needle sticks when the locking mechanism is locked. 
     
     
         29 . The access device of  claim 27 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one finger element. 
     
     
         30 . The access device of  claim 19  further comprising a guidewire adapted to be passed through at least one of the needle or the sheath. 
     
     
         31 . The access device of  claim 30 , wherein a portion of the guidewire near a distal end of the guidewire comprises a reduced diameter in comparison to at least one other section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         32 . A method for placing a medical article within a body space, the method comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of a needle into a location within a patient's body, the needle comprising a needle hub and an elongated needle body extending therefrom, the needle body comprising (i) a sharp distal tip that forms an opening and (ii) a side wall that defines at least one side opening therein; and   advancing a sheath over at least a portion of the needle body such that at least a portion of the sheath is advanced into the location within the patient's body, the sheath comprising a sheath hub and an elongated sheath body extending therefrom, the sheath hub disposed distal of the needle hub,   wherein at least one wing is coupled to the sheath hub and is employed in advancing the sheath, the at least one wing being removable from at least a portion of the sheath hub.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising permitting the flow of blood through the side opening and out of the needle body. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the sheath hub comprises a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the sheath hub comprises, near a proximal end thereof, a structure for mating or engaging with a corresponding structure. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the structure of the sheath hub mates or engages with the corresponding structure via at least one of a mechanical fit or a friction fit. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the sheath hub comprises, near a proximal end thereof, a lip. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the lip comprises a thread. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the sheath body comprises at least one of a clear, translucent, transparent, or semi-opaque material. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising a locking mechanism that, when unlocked, allows slideable movement of the needle and that, when locked, prevents further travel of the needle relative to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising locking the locking mechanism, thereby isolating the sharp distal tip of the needle body to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one finger element. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising passing a guidewire through at least one of the needle or the sheath. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein a portion of the guidewire near a distal end of the guidewire comprises a reduced diameter in comparison to at least one other section of the guidewire. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the location is selected from the group consisting of an artery, a vein, a vessel, a body cavity, and a drainage site.