| 摘要 |
A set comprises a needle (10) and a needle configuring catheter (18). The needle (10) has a hollow needle body (12) having a puncturing end (16). The needle body (12) is resiliently flexible so that in a relaxed state the needle body (12) tends to assume a straight configuration. The catheter (18) has a hollow catheter body (20) having a distal opening (24) and a portion (26) spaced from the distal opening (24) towards a proximal end of the catheter body (20). The catheter body (20) is resiliently flexible so that in a relaxed state the spaced portion (26) tends to assume a straight orientation having an axis and the distal opening (24) tends to assume a position offset from the axis of the spaced portion (26). The needle body (12) is insertable into the catheter body (20) such that an end portion (32) of the needle body (12) including the puncturing end (16) projects outwardly from the distal opening (24) of the catheter body (20). When the needle body (12) is inserted in this way, the catheter body (20) bends the needle body into a configuration in which the projecting end portion (32) of the needle body (12) extends in a direction that has a radial component relative to the axis of the spaced portion (26) of the catheter body (20). A splittable catheter (34) comprises an elongate annular wall (36). The annular wall (36) is provided with a longitudinally extending line of weakness (42) for splitting of the annular wall (36) along the line of weakness (42). The catheter (32) also includes a structure (40) that is distensible and which when distended extends radially outwardly of the annular wall (36) and circumferentially partially around the annular wall (36). The structure (40) does not extend over the line of weakness (42). The splittable catheter (34) can be used independently of the set_ However, alternatively, the catheter body (20) of the configuring catheter (18) is insertable into the annular wall (36) of the splittable catheter (34). When the catheter body (20) is inserted in this way, the annular wall of the splittable catheter (34) constrains the catheter body (20) so as to reduce or eliminate the offset of the distal opening (24) of the catheter body (20) from the axis of the spaced portion of the catheter body (26). |
