초록 ▼

A catheter retaining clip (100) including first and second generally straight body portions (104,106), each of which extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the other and includes a retention section. The generally straight body portions are connected by an extension piece (116 or 240) that ex

A catheter retaining clip (100) including first and second generally straight body portions (104,106), each of which extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to the other and includes a retention section. The generally straight body portions are connected by an extension piece (116 or 240) that extends generally from one generally straight body portion to the other generally straight body portion. The extension piece (116) may extend around a 180° curve that defines the curve of the catheter to be inserted into the clip, and a U-shaped channel (120) extends through the first and second generally straight body portions and the extension piece; the clip is installed onto a catheter (50) so that the catheter lies in the U-shaped channel and is retained therein by two or three retention sections or locking clasps (130). The present invention also provides methods of installing a catheter within the clip and methods of removing a catheter from within the clip.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A clip for a catheter having a portion having a pre-defined curve with noncurved portions proximate thereto intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends, the pre-curved portion defining a plane, comprising: a first generally straight body portion having a fi

What is claimed is: 1. A clip for a catheter having a portion having a pre-defined curve with noncurved portions proximate thereto intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends, the pre-curved portion defining a plane, comprising: a first generally straight body portion having a first generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a first longitudinal axis extending therethrough; a second generally straight body portion having a second generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a second longitudinal axis extending therethrough, wherein the second longitudinal axis is generally parallel to and offset from the first longitudinal axis; a connecting portion connecting the first generally straight body portion and the second generally straight body portion; the first and second straight body portions and connecting portions being sized, shaped and relatively positioned to correspond with and to complement the pre-curved catheter portion when the noncurved catheter portion end portions are inserted into the catheter-receiving channels of the first and second generally straight body portions; and first and second catheter retention sections defined respectively on the first and second generally straight body portions, are spaced apart from and not continuous with each other and having respective lengths that when added together total less than the longitudinal length of the catheter-receiving channel, each catheter retention section including a narrow entrance portion dimensioned less than a width of the channel, the entrance portions facing in a common direction away from bottoms of the channels to fasten directly onto or about the catheter at respective ones of the noncurved catheter portions in such a manner requiring the catheter to be forced thereinto from laterally thereof, and thereafter assuredly securing the body portion of the clip to the catheter, whereby the clip is fastenable to the catheter from laterally of the plane defined by the pre-curved portion of the catheter, at the catheter's pre-curved portion and thereafter maintains the pre-curved shape of the pre-curved catheter portion during shipping and handling. 2. The clip claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is curved. 3. The clip claimed in claim 2, further comprising a continuous catheter-receiving channel extending through the first generally straight body portion, the connecting portion, and the second generally straight body portion. 4. The clip claimed in claim 3, wherein each catheter retention section comprises at least one locking clasp extending into the channel. 5. The clip as claimed in claim 4 wherein the body comprises an outside wall and an inside wall, and a channel bottom extending between the outside wall and the inside wall that is rounded transverse to the direction of the channel. 6. The clip as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outside wall and the inside wall include beveled interior edges. 7. The clip as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rounded channel bottom includes a cut out disposed proximate to each of the at least one locking clasp, wherein each cut out extends between the outside wall and the inside wall. 8. A method of removal of a catheter from the clip of claim 4 comprising: forcing the catheter past each of the at least one retention section while pulling the catheter from the channel. 9. The method of removal of a catheter from the clip claimed in claim 8, further comprising removing the catheter from the clip prior to inserting the catheter into a patient. 10. A method of removal of a catheter from the clip of claim 4 comprising: providing a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end and a pre-curved portion therebetween having first and second generally straight portions intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends; sliding the catheter out of the clip, by pulling from the proximal end of the catheter relative to the clip so as to allow the distal end to enter the channel of the clip from the first generally straight portion and exit the clip from the second generally straight portion. 11. The method of removal of a catheter from the clip claimed in claim 10 further comprising removing the catheter from the clip prior to inserting the catheter into a patient. 12. A method of use of a clip for a catheter having a pre-defined curved portion as claimed in claim 4 comprising: providing a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and a pre-curved portion therebetween having first and second generally straight portions intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends, wherein a clip is placed about the pre-curved catheter portion to maintain the curvature of the pie-curved portion of the catheter within the clip; and releasably securing the catheter to the clip by securing the catheter within the at least one retention section on at least the first and second generally straight portions. 13. The clip claimed in claim 2, wherein the first generally straight body portion has a first open end and the second generally straight body portion has a second open end. 14. A method of use of a clip for a catheter having a pre-defined curved portion as claimed in claim 2 comprising: providing a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and a pre-curved portion therebetween having first and second generally straight portions intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends, wherein a clip is placed about the pre-curved catheter portion to maintain the curvature of the pre-curved portion of the catheter within the clip; and releasably securing the catheter to the clip by securing an associated respective portion of the catheter adjacent to the pre-curved portion of catheter within the at least one retention section on at least the first and second generally straight portions. 15. The clip claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is comprised of a polymer material. 16. The clip claimed in claim 15, wherein the polymer material is comprised of polypropylene. 17. The clip claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second catheter retention sections do not project beyond top surfaces of side walls defining the channel. 18. In combination, a clip and a catheter having a pre-curved portion, comprising: a catheter having a portion having a pre-defined curve with noncurved portions proximate thereto intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends; and a clip having: a first generally straight body portion having a first generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a first longitudinal axis extending therethrough; a second generally straight body portion having a second generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a second longitudinal axis extending therethrough, wherein the second longitudinal axis is generally parallel to and offset from the first longitudinal axis; a connecting portion connecting the first generally straight body portion and the second generally straight body portion; and first and second catheter retention sections defined respectively on the first and second generally straight body portions, are spaced apart from and not continuous with each other and having respective lengths that when added together total less than the longitudinal length of the catheter-receiving channel each including a narrow entrance portion dimensioned less than the catheter diameter, the entrance portions facing in a common direction away from bottoms of the channels to clip onto the catheter end portions when the noncurved catheter portions are inserted thereinto and thus assuredly secure the body portion of the clip to the catheter, which in turn maintains the curvature of the pre-defined curved catheter portion during shipping and handling. 19. The combination of claim 18, further including a stylet extending through the catheter. 20. The clip claimed in claim 18, wherein the first and second catheter retention sections do not project beyond top surfaces of side walls defining the channel.