Catheter apparatus with means for subcutaneous delivery of anesthetic agent or other fluid medicament

An indwelling catheter apparatus comprising:

• catheter means for insertion through subcutaneous tissue, said catheter means comprising an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body, and having an indwelling distal end and a proximal hub end adapted for securement outside of the body;
• and
• sheath means for delivering fluid medicament to essentially only the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the cannula, said sheath means formed integrally with said cannula intermediate said distal and proximal ends such that said sheath means is capable of being inserted into but essentially not beyond the subcutaneous tissue, said sheath means having distal and proximal ends and comprising means for defining an interior lumen running from the distal to the proximal end of the sheath means, and said sheath means further comprising:
• a plurality of delivery holes, spaced along said sheath means from the distal to the proximal end thereof, each of the delivery holes providing a fluid communication path between said interior lumen and the surrounding subcutaneous tissue;
• and
• hub means for delivering fluid medicament to said interior lumen.

A catheter apparatus for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body so as to be indwelling within the body, and for delivery of anesthetic agents to subcutaneous tissue surrounding the indwelling catheter apparatus prior to removal thereof to minimize pain to the patient upon removal of the indwelling catheter apparatus, the catheter apparatus comprising:

• catheter means for insertion through subcutaneous tissue, said catheter means comprising an indwelling cannula adapted for insertion through subcutaneous tissue into a patient's body, and having an indwelling distal end and a proximal hub end adapted for securement outside the body;
• a cylindrical sleeve having an interior lumen formed therein, the cylindrical sleeve surrounding and permanently affixed to the cannula so as to be concentric with said cannula intermediate said distal and proximal ends, such that said cylindrical sleeve is capable of being inserted into but essentially not beyond the subcutaneous tissue, the cylindrical sleeve further comprising:
• a plurality of delivery holes along the length of the cylindrical sleeve, each of said delivery holes being fluid communication with said interior lumen and providing a fluid communication path between said interior lumen and the surrounding subcutaneous tissues;
• and
• hub means for delivering the fluid medicament to the interior lumen.