CATHETER-NEEDLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR DRAINAGE OF FLUID COLLECTIONS

摘要

A method and a needle and catheter system for draining localized fluid collections, comprising: preloading a curved, pigtail catheter (22) by inserting through it a hollow cannula (10), the end (20) of the cannula (10) being formed with blunt and rounded edges (12). Next, a pointed stylet (14) is inserted through the hollow cannula (10). The stylet (14) is longer than the cannula (10) so that its end (18) will extend beyond the end (20) of the cannula (10) when received therethrough. The pigtail catheter (22) is made of a resilient material designed with a normal pigtail configuration and contains side holes (24) on the inner aspect of the distal pigtail (26). The next step involves inserting the two part needle (14, 10) having the catheter (22) mounted thereon into the desired tissue area (38), and then withdrawing the cannula (10) and stylet (14) while maintaining the drainage catheter (22) in the fluid location (42) such that the distal end (26) of the catheter (22) will return to its curved pigtail shape. Reformation of the pigtail catheter (22) to the curved shape at its distal end (26) assures positioning of its holes (24) within the fluid (42) for the final drainage step.