초록 ▼

Packaging units for use with elongate medical devices such as catheters. An example packaging unit includes a mounting card into which a number of tabs are cut at predetermined angles and shapes. At least some of the tabs are provided in large tab/small tab pairs. The angle and size combination prov

Packaging units for use with elongate medical devices such as catheters. An example packaging unit includes a mounting card into which a number of tabs are cut at predetermined angles and shapes. At least some of the tabs are provided in large tab/small tab pairs. The angle and size combination provides for securing the elongate medical device to the card, while reducing trauma experienced by the device during removal from the card. Also, a double tab system is provided in the packaging unit for receiving a hub and strain relief to hold those parts securely. The card may be scored along at least a first side such that, prior to placing a sterile barrier, such as a plastic wrapping or envelope, around the mounting card to sterilely seal a device therein, the card may be bent along the scoring line to lift the sterile barrier off of a surface of the mounting card. The step of bending a portion of the card along the storing line make removal of a device from the mounting card easier and renders the mounting card more rigid and less likely to bend and cause damage to an elongate medical device stored thereon.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A holding card for holding an elongate medical device and formed of a generally planar piece of material and comprising: at least one relatively large tab cut into the material; and at least one relatively small tab cut into the material; wherein the tabs are placed for holdi

What is claimed is: 1. A holding card for holding an elongate medical device and formed of a generally planar piece of material and comprising: at least one relatively large tab cut into the material; and at least one relatively small tab cut into the material; wherein the tabs are placed for holding an elongate medical device and each have: a leading corner that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the distal end of the elongate medical device; a trailing edge that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the proximal end of the elongate medical device; and a second, radiused corner defining a vertex of the tab; wherein the relatively large tab has a generally triangular form creating an angle in the range of about 30-45 degrees at the leading corner, and the relatively small tab has a generally triangular form creating an angle in the range of about 40-50 degrees at the leading corner; and wherein the tabs are arranged in a plurality of pairs, each pair having one small and one large tab. 2. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the tabs are spaced in pairs such that, with respect to an axial direction of an elongate medical device held therein, the tabs are spaced by about 2.5 centimeters from trailing edge to trailing edge. 3. The holding card of claim 2 wherein the tabs are disposed such that the leading corner of the relatively large tab faces the trailing edge of the relatively small tab. 4. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively large tab has a length of between about 2.3 and 2.7 centimeters. 5. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively large tab has a length of about 2.5 centimeters. 6. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively small tab has a length of between about 1.3 and 1.8 centimeters. 7. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively small tab has a length of about 1.5 centimeters. 8. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively large tab has a length, and wherein the distance along a line passing axially past the relatively large tab and the relatively small tab from the trailing edge of the relatively large tab to the trailing edge of the relatively small tab is about equal to the length of the relatively large tab. 9. The holding card of claim 1 further comprising means for holding a proximal hub of an elongate medical device disposed such that, if an elongate medical device is disposed on the holding card with the hub held in the means for holding a proximal hub, the tabs are located for receiving a portion of the elongate medical device distal of the proximal hub. 10. The holding card of claim 1 further comprising an axially extending scored section along the generally planar piece of material, wherein: the scored section is placed and the material shaped such that a portion of the planar piece of material near the scored section can be folded outward from the rest of the generally planar piece of material to form a folded portion; and, when so folded and with an elongate medical device secured to the holding card by the tabs, and when placed within a sterile barrier sheet, the folded portion holds the sterile barrier sheet away from at least a portion of the elongate medical device. 11. The holding card of claim 10 wherein, when the folded portion is formed, the folded portion provides additional rigidity to the generally planar piece of material. 12. The holding card of claim 10 wherein the generally planar piece of material has a hub end and a distal portion end, the large and small tabs being aligned and positioned for receiving an elongate medical device having a hub on the generally planar piece of material such that the hub is received at the hub end, wherein the folded portion does not extend all the way to one of the hub end or the distal portion end. 13. The holding card of claim I wherein the relatively large tab creates an angle of about 36-40 degrees. 14. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively large tab creates an angle of about 38 degrees. 15. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively small tab creates an angle of about 43-47 degrees. 16. The holding card of claim 1 wherein the relatively small tab creates an angle of about 45 degrees. 17. The holding card of claim 1 wherein a ratio of the length of the relatively large tab to the length of the relatively small tab yields a ratio in the range of about 1.5 to 1 and 2 to 1. 18. A holding card for holding an elongate medical device and formed of a generally planar piece of material and comprising: at least one relatively large tab cut into the material; and at least one relatively small tab cut into the material; wherein the tabs are placed for holding an elongate medical device and each have: a leading corner that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the distal end of the elongate medical device; a trailing edge that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the proximal end of the elongate medical device; and a second, radiused corner defining a vertex of the tab a first hub holding tab; and a second hub holding tab; wherein: the relatively large tab has a generally triangular form creating an angle in the range of about 30-45 degrees at the leading corner, and the relatively small tab has a generally triangular form creating an angle in the range of about 40-50 degrees at the leading corner; the tabs are arranged in a plurality of pairs, each pair having one small and one large tab; the first hub holding tab is a flap of material shaped to receive a first, proximal portion of a hub assembly through a first cutout; and the second hub holding tab is a flap of material having a notch and a second cutout, the second cutout sized to match a strain relief associated with a hub on an elongate medical device. 19. The holding card of claim 18 wherein the relatively large tab has a length, and wherein the distance along a line passing axially past the relatively large tab and the relatively small tab from the trailing edge of the relatively large tab to the trailing edge of the relatively small tab is about equal to the length of the relatively large tab. 20. The holding card of claim 18 further comprising an axially extending scored section along the generally planar piece of material, wherein: the scored section is placed and the material shaped such that a portion of the material near the scored section can be folded outward from the rest of the generally planar piece of material to make a folded section; and, when so folded and with an elongate medical device secured to the catheter holding card by the tabs, and when placed within a sterile barrier sheet, the folded portion holds the sterile barrier sheet away from at least a portion of the elongate medical device. 21. A method of packaging an elongate medical device comprising: providing a holding card as defined in claim 18; folding the generally planar piece of material along the scored section to create the folded portion; and placing an elongate medical device having a hub and a shaft on the generally planar piece of material such that: the relatively large and relatively small tabs interact with the shaft; and the hub is secured to the first and second hub holding tabs. 22. A method as in claim 21 further comprising placing a sterile barrier over the holding card and elongate medical device such that the sterile barrier is suspended over the catheter by the folded portions. 23. A method as in claim 22 wherein: the folded portions extend along a part of the holding card but end prior to an end of the holding card opposite the end of the holding card at which the hub holding tabs are located; the sterile barrier comprises an envelope having an opening, the step of placing the sterile barrier over the holding card and elongate medical device including: putting the holding card and elongate medical device inside the sterile barrier through the opening by advancing the end of the holding card having the hub holding tabs into the opening first and then advancing the rest of the holding card therethrough; and sealing the opening. 24. The method of claim 21 wherein the holding card has a first rigidity before the step of folding is performed, and wherein the holding card has a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity after the step of folding. 25. A method of packaging an elongate medical device: providing a generally planar holding card having a first surface; cutting a number of relatively small tabs in the holding card; cutting a number of relatively large tabs larger than the small tabs in the holding card; wherein the tabs are placed for holding the elongate medical device and each have: a leading corner that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the distal end of the elongate medical device; a trailing edge that, when the elongate medical device is held by the tabs, is towards the proximal end of he elongate medical device; and a second, radiused corner defining a vertex of the tab; wherein the tabs are arranged in a plurality of pairs, each pair having one small and one large tab; pushing one of the small tabs upward with respect to the first surface causing the small tab to deflect away from the first surface, then passing a portion of a catheter shaft under the small tab, and allowing the small tab to deflect back toward the first surface; and pushing one of the large tabs upward with respect to the first surface causing the large tab to deflect away from the first surface, then passing a portion of a catheter shaft under the large tab, and allowing the large tab to deflect back toward the first surface. 26. Packaging for an elongate medical device comprising: a generally planar piece of material having a surface and including a first end and a second end; a relatively large tab disposed along the surface of the material, the relatively large tab including a generally triangular form including a leading corner creating an angle in the range of about 30-45 degrees, a radiused second corner defining a vertex of the tab, and a trailing edge; and a relatively small tab disposed along the surface of the material, the relatively small tab having a generally triangular form including a leading corner creating an angle in the range of about 40-50 degrees, radiused second corner defining a vertex of the tab, and a trailing edge; wherein the tabs are disposed along the surface such that the leading corners of the tabs are oriented towards the first end of the material, and the trailing edges of the tabs are oriented towards the second end of the material, and wherein the tabs are arranged in a plurality of pairs of one small and one large tab. 27. A method of making packaging for an elongate medical device, the packaging including a first end and a second end, the method comprising: providing a generally planar piece of material having a surface; cutting at least one relatively large tab into the surface of the material, the relatively large tab including a generally triangular form including a leading corner creating an angle in the range of about 30-45 degrees, a radiused second corner defining a vertex of the tab, and a trailing edge; and cutting at least one relatively small tab into surface of the material, the relatively small tab having a generally triangular form including a leading corner creating an angle in the range of about 40-50 degrees, a radiused second corner defining a vertex of the tab, and a trailing edge; wherein the tabs cut into the surface such that the leading corners of the tabs are oriented towards the first end of the packaging; and the trailing edges of the tabs are oriented towards the second end of the packaging, and wherein the tabs are arranged in a plurality of pairs of one small and one large tab.