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A flexible protective sheath for catheters
A Flexible Protective Sheath for Catheters Boris Schwartz, MD, Wayne, New Jersey
In the present use of catheters the penetrating portion is in a sterile condition when packaged and shipped and is maintained so until time of use, at which time, the protective cover is removed and by manipulation and grasping of the exterior surface the catheter is inserted into the arm, leg, or other portion of the patient. Although the catheter is in an initially sterile condition, the handling necessary for satisfactory insertion of this catheter into the patient causes the exterior surface to be pressed against the skin of the patient during manipulation and prior to insertion through the skin into the vein. Although the patient may have been locally cleansed before catheter insertion into the area, the skin usually is not in a sterile condition, particularly when the insertion is difficult. Contamination can occur when the manipulator’s fingers touch the shaft portion adjacent to the grasped hub portion of the catheter. In addition, the skin entrance site may act as an entrance for bacteria. To minimize sepsis, the present system provides a sheath for the exterior surface of the catheter. This added sheath is loosely retained in a protective position until catheter penetration on insertion is begun. The needle protrudes beyond the catheter and sheath. As the insertion into and through the From Greater Paterson General Hospital, Wayne, New Jersey. Reprint requests should be addressed to Boris Schwartz, MD, Greater Paterson General Hospital, 224 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, New Jersey 07470.
Volume 132, Nevember
1376
THETER
HUB
rSKlN
PUNCTURE
SITE
COLLAPSED
SHEA Tli
skin continues, the sheath engages the skin at the penetration point and slides up the catheter or needle. The sterile catheter is not exposed to any outside condition but is slid through the skin opening into the body structure (such as a vein). This sheath folds like an accordion as it slides up to the hub of the catheter. In addition to providing protection of the now inserted catheter, the collapsed sheath also shields the uninserted catheter portion between the skin and hub and also provides a barrier to entrance of bacteria into the skin puncture. Summary
A thin collapsible plastic sheath is presented as a cover for catheters to prevent external contamination.
679
In the present use of catheters the penetrating portion is in a sterile condition when packaged and shipped and is maintained so until time of use, at which time, the protective cover is removed and by manipulation and grasping of the exterior surface the catheter is inserted into the arm, leg, or other portion of the patient. Although the catheter is in an initially sterile condition, the handling necessary for satisfactory insertion of this catheter into the patient causes the exterior surface to be pressed against the skin of the patient during manipulation and prior to insertion through the skin into the vein. Although the patient may have been locally cleansed before catheter insertion into the area, the skin usually is not in a sterile condition, particularly when the insertion is difficult. Contamination can occur when the manipulator’s fingers touch the shaft portion adjacent to the grasped hub portion of the catheter. In addition, the skin entrance site may act as an entrance for bacteria. To minimize sepsis, the present system provides a sheath for the exterior surface of the catheter. This added sheath is loosely retained in a protective position until catheter penetration on insertion is begun. The needle protrudes beyond the catheter and sheath. As the insertion into and through the From Greater Paterson General Hospital, Wayne, New Jersey. Reprint requests should be addressed to Boris Schwartz, MD, Greater Paterson General Hospital, 224 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, New Jersey 07470.
Volume 132, Nevember
1376
THETER
HUB
rSKlN
PUNCTURE
SITE
COLLAPSED
SHEA Tli
skin continues, the sheath engages the skin at the penetration point and slides up the catheter or needle. The sterile catheter is not exposed to any outside condition but is slid through the skin opening into the body structure (such as a vein). This sheath folds like an accordion as it slides up to the hub of the catheter. In addition to providing protection of the now inserted catheter, the collapsed sheath also shields the uninserted catheter portion between the skin and hub and also provides a barrier to entrance of bacteria into the skin puncture. Summary
A thin collapsible plastic sheath is presented as a cover for catheters to prevent external contamination.
679