Catheter positioning system

A method of positioning a flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a needle having a shaft with a diameter less than that of the lumen,
• b) positioning the needle shaft within the lumen,
• c) extending the needle tip beyond the distal end of the catheter,
• d) positioning a releasable clamp having separable components on the catheter,
• e) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft to preclude movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter,
• f) advancing the catheter and needle through dermal layers and toward a target nerve or vessel by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,
• g) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter when the distal end of the catheter is at a desired position,
• h) withdrawing the needle shaft while maintaining the catheter in position, and
• i) removing the clamp from the catheter by separating the separable components.

A method of intravascular placement of a flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis, a fixed hub at a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a needle having a shaft with a diameter less than that of the catheter lumen,
• b) positioning the needle shaft within the lumen,
• c) extending the needle tip beyond the distal end of the catheter,
• d) positioning a releasable clamp having separable components on the catheter,
• e) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft to preclude movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter,
• f) advancing the catheter and needle through dermal layers and into a target vessel by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,
• g) disengaging the clamp to permit relative axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter when the distal end of the catheter is within the target vessel,
• h) withdrawing the needle shaft until the needle tip lies within the catheter lumen while maintaining the catheter in position,
• i) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft and advancing the catheter and needle within the vessel,
• j) disengaging the clamp and withdrawing the needle from the catheter lumen while maintaining the catheter in position,
• k) engaging the clamp and advancing the catheter within the vessel until the distal end is at a desired position, and
• l) removing the clamp from the catheter by moving the clamp relative to the catheter in a direction other than along the longitudinal axis.

A method of positioning a flexible catheter having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, a proximal end having a fixed hub and a lumen, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a needle having a shaft with a diameter less than that of the catheter lumen,
• b) positioning the needle shaft within the lumen,
• c) extending the needle tip beyond the distal end of the catheter,
• d) positioning a releasable clamp on the catheter,
• e) engaging the clamp to compress the catheter against the needle shaft to preclude movement of the needle tip relative to the distal end of the catheter,
• f) advancing the catheter and needle through dermal layers and toward a target nerve or vessel by grasping and manipulating the engaged clamp,
• g) disengaging the clamp to permit axial movement of the needle shaft relative to the catheter when the distal end of the catheter is at a desired position,
• h) withdrawing the needle shaft while maintaining the catheter in position, and
• i) removing the clamp from the catheter by moving the clamp relative to the catheter in a direction other than along the longitudinal axis.