Pre-curved catheter tip

• US 20060047268A1
• Filed: 08/23/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medical Components, Inc.
• Inventors: Stephens, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,678,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/533
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1418 Clips, separators or the like for supporting tubes or leads

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A pre-curved catheter clip comprising:

a first generally straight body portion having a first generally U-shaped cross section and a first longitudinal axis extending therethrough;

a second generally straight body portion having a second generally U-shaped cross section and a second longitudinal axis extending therethrough, wherein the second longitudinal axis is generally parallel with the first longitudinal axis;

a connecting portion connecting the first generally straight body portion and the second generally straight body portion; and

a catheter retention section defined on each of the first and second generally straight body portions.

2. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is curved.

3. The pre-curved catheter 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.

4. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 2, further comprising a channel extending through the first generally straight body portion, the connecting portion, and the second generally straight body portion.

5. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 4, wherein each catheter retention section comprises at least one locking clasp extending into the channel.

6. The pre-curved catheter clip as claimed in claim 5 wherein the body comprises an outside wall and an inside wall, and a preferably rounded foundation extending between the outside wall and the inside wall.

7. The pre-curved catheter clip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rounded foundation 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. The pre-curved catheter clip as claimed in claim 6 wherein the outside wall and the inside wall include beveled interior edges.

9. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 1, wherein the clip is comprised of a polymer material.

10. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 9, wherein the polymer material is comprised of polypropylene.

11. The pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 1 wherein:

the first generally straight body portion has a first open end and a second open end;

the second generally straight body portion has a first open end and a second open end; and

the connecting piece extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the first generally straight body portion

12. A method of use of a pre-curved catheter clip as claimed in claim 5 comprising:

providing a catheter having a distal and proximal end, wherein a pre-curved catheter clip is placed between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter to maintain a 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. A method of use of a pre-curved catheter clip as claimed in claim 2 comprising:

providing a catheter having a distal and proximal end, wherein a pre-curved catheter clip is placed between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter to maintain a 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.

14. A method of removal of a catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip of claim 5 comprising:

forcing the catheter past each of the at least one retention section while pulling the catheter from the channel.

15. The method of removal of a catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 14, further comprising removing the catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip prior to inserting the catheter into a patient.

16. A method of removal of a catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip of claim 5 comprising:

providing a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end;

sliding the catheter out of the pre-curved catheter 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 pre-curved catheter clip from a first generally straight portion and exit the pre-curved catheter clip from a second generally straight portion.

17. The method of removal of a catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip claimed in claim 16 further comprising removing the catheter from the pre-curved catheter clip prior to inserting the catheter into a patient.