Catheter introducer and method of introducing a catheter into the heart

摘要

A catheter introducer and a method of introducing a catheter into a heart. The catheter introducer includes a front puncturing end and a main body portion which defines an upwardly-opening trough therein. A catheter is placed in piggy-back fashion within the trough, and the puncturing end of the tool is inserted into the heart, so that the catheter is delivered into the heart essentially simultaneously with the piercing of the heart wall. The catheter introducer results in a faster introduction of the catheter, and minimizes blood loss and trauma to the heart.