Safety spinal catheter

A method for installing a spinal catheter assembly, said method comprising:

• providing a spinal catheter assembly having:
• a support needle with a piercing point at a distal end, said support needle having a proximal end with a support hub and an opening to allow flow from a point near the distal end thereof to said proximal end;
• a catheter, having a proximal end with a catheter hub, slidably mounted on said support needle to expose said piercing point, said catheter having an outside diameter sufficiently small so that withdrawal of said catheter from dura mater, subsequent to insertion of said catheter assembly therethrough, permits said dura mater substantially to reseal a space formerly occupied by said catheter;
• wherein
• said catheter hub and said support hub are configured to form a locking interference therebetween;
• and
• a central stylet slidably mounted in said support needle to prevent the entry of matter through said opening;
• using a conventional spinal needle technique to prepare skin of a patient at an injection site, apply local anesthetic, and insert a tip of said catheter assembly, said tip comprising said piercing point;
• removing said central stylet subsequent to receiving a feedback signal that puncture of said dura mater has occurred;
• checking for cerebrospinal fluid at said support hub;
• if no cerebrospinal fluid is observed, replacing said central stylet and further inserting said assembly until said tip is an intrathecal space;
• once cerebrospinal is observed, unlocking said support hub and said catheter hub, and while holding said support needle stationary, advancing said catheter until said catheter hub contacts the skin;
• removing said support needle and checking for the presence of CSF at said catheter hub;
• connecting medical fluid transfer apparatus to said catheter hub;
• and
• securing said catheter hub to the skin.