Method and device for preparing catheters prior to use

• US 5,372,592 A
• Filed: 06/22/1992
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Ave Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Gambale, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCDERMOTT, CORRINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US07/902,096
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 604/192, 604/239-240, 604/263-264, 604/272, 604/280, 604/93, 604/165
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0062 having features to improve the sliding of one part within another by using lubricants or surfaces with low friction coatings A61M2025/0046
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/024 having a clip or clamp system
• 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

Abstract

A flushing tool and method for safely flushing or lubricating a guidewire lumen of a catheter is provided, having a hollow elongate member dimensioned to be inserted into the guidewire lumen of a catheter; a luer fitting secured to the proximal end of the elongate member and in flow-through communication with the elongate member; and a clip, having a pair of fingers, transversely extending from the luer fitting. The distal end of the elongate member is inserted into the guidewire lumen of the catheter, while the clip is attached to several locations along the shaft of the catheter by inserting several portions the shaft of the catheter between the fingers of the clip. Alternatively, the clip may be attached to a container used to store the catheter, with the elongate member inserted through an aperture in the container and into the guidewire lumen of the catheter. An injection device containing a flushing/lubricating solution may then be connected to the luer fitting, so that the flushing/lubricating solution can be injected through the flushing tool and the guidewire lumen.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a catheter having a guidewire lumen by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough;

a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and

a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from the body of said luer member for facilitating the handling of the catheter;

the method comprising the steps of;

inserting said distal end of said elongate member into the guidewire lumen of the catheter;

attaching said clip to the body of the catheter by inserting the catheter between said fingers of said clip;

sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing solution to said luer member; and

injecting said flushing solution through said flushing device and the guidewire lumen of the catheter.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of portions of the catheter between said fingers of said clip to further facilitate the handling of the catheter.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of detaching and removing said flushing device from the catheter after flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said clip member, said luer member and said elongate member are configured such that said elongate member is disposed at an angle relative to said guidewire lumen when said clip member is attached to the body of the catheter.

5. A method of preparing a monorail catheter, while stored in a container having an aperture, by safely flushing or lubricating the guidewire lumen of the catheter using a device having an elongate member including a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough;

a luer member secured to said proximal end of said elongate member, said luer member having a central lumen in communication with said lumen of said elongate member; and

a clip member having a pair of fingers, and extending transversely from said luer member for facilitating the handling of said catheter;

the method comprising the steps of;

providing said catheter with said distal end of said elongate member inserted through the aperture in said container and into said guidewire lumen of said catheter, and said clip attached to said container, wherein said container is inserted between said fingers of said clip;

sealingly connecting an injection device containing a flushing or lubricating solution to said luer member; and

injecting said flushing or lubricating solution through said flushing device and said guidewire lumen, thereby cleansing and lubricating said guidewire lumen.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said clip member, said luer member and said elongate member are arranged such that said elongate member is disposed within the guidewire lumen, and at an angle relative to the guidewire lumen of the catheter when said clip member is coupled to the container storing the catheter, for allowing the connection of an injection device without interference from the container or the catheter.

7. A catheter assembly comprising

a catheter member having an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter shaft;

an elongated member having a distal end and a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough;

an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between the ends of the flushing member, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed in said guidewire lumen;

a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and

a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said catheter for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in said guidewire lumen of the catheter.

8. A catheter assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said flushing member is disposed at an angle relative to the catheter.

9. A catheter assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said angle is in the range of about 5°

-15°

.

10. An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said clip member engages said catheter in a plurality of locations.

11. A catheter assembly comprising

a balloon storage member having a proximal end and a distal end and a slot disposed at the distal end thereof;

a catheter member disposed in said storage member, said catheter member having;

an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a guidewire lumen disposed in the distal end of the shaft, said guidewire lumen including a distal port and a proximal port by which the guidewire lumen communicates with the exterior of the catheter and the slot of said storage member;

an elongated flushing member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending between said flushing member proximal and distal ends, the distal end of said flushing member being disposed through said storage member slot and into said guidewire lumen;

a fitting member engaged with the proximal end of said flushing member and having a lumen communicating with said flushing member lumen, said fitting including an adapter for receiving a source of flushing fluid; and

a clip member attached to said fitting member and engaging at least one portion of said storage member for maintaining the distal end of said flushing member in the guidewire lumen of said catheter.

12. An assembly as in claim 11 wherein said flushing member is disposed at an angle relative to the distal end of the catheter.

13. An assembly as in claim 12 wherein said angle is in the range of about 5°

-15°

.

14. An assembly as in claim 13 wherein said storage member is coiled in configuration and wherein said clip member engages said storage member in a plurality of locations.