| 摘要 |
A partially disposable instrument for use in a medical procedure includes a rigid introducer assembly and a fiber-optic endoscope having a flexible shaft which may be removably inserted through the introducer assembly. The introducer assembly permits a fluid to be flushed therethrough and about the shaft such that the fluid exits through a terminal end of the introducer assembly. The instrument may be utilized in connection with a method for positioning a catheter within a body during a medical procedure, including the steps of placing the catheter over the introducer, inserting the shaft of the endoscope through the introducer, advancing the catheter, introducer and endoscope shaft into the body as a unit, positioning the catheter within the body utilizing the fiber-optic endoscope, and removing the endoscope shaft and the introducer from the body while leaving the catheter in place. The catheter includes a slit tip capable of opening to permit the terminal end of the introducer assembly to pass therethrough such that the diameter of the slit tip, when so configured, is not significantly greater than a nominal diameter of the catheter.
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