Splittable Needle for Catheter Placement System

Abstract

Advanced catheter placement systems require disengaging a needle from the guidewire without disturbing a position of the guidewire within the vasculature. Embodiments include withdrawing the needle proximally and drawing the needle over a splitter system that includes a splitter wedge. The splitter system separates the needle along a longitudinal axis. A portion of the guidewire can then pass between a first portion and a second portion of the needle, allowing the needle to disengage the guidewire. A catheter disposed on a proximal portion of the guidewire can then be advanced thereover into the vasculature. A needle safety system can adhere a puncture-resistant adhesive tape to the split portions of the needle. The tape can encapsulate the portions of the needle mitigating any damage or trauma caused by sharpened edges of the needle portions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.