Catheter Storage Rack

Abstract

This invention is directed to a catheter storage rack that comprises a rigid supporting plate upon which a plurality of spaced tubular guides are mounted and arranged along the locus of the desired configuration of a catheter to be supported on the rack. A curved tubular guide is provided to retain and support the curved distal end of the catheter in its naturally curved configuration.

Description

THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in storage devices and particularly seeks to provide a novel plate or rack for the care and storage of cardio-vascular and other types of catheters.

It is generally recommended that catheters be stored in coils of about 8 inches diameter so that they will readily fit in a sterilizer prior to use. Mostly, the catheters simply are wound in a loose coil and wrapped in surgical cloth or papers and stored. Such storage does not protect the catheter and does not maintain the curved distal tip in its proper state of curvature.

However, a storage rack constructed in accordance with this invention firmly retains a catheter and its curved tip in the desired coil and can be bodily inserted in a sterilizer while still carrying the catheter.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a storage rack or plate for catheters that includes a supporting plate upon which is mounted a plurality of angularly spaced tubular guides arranged along the locus of the catheter coil to be formed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rack of the character stated in which the curved distal tip of the catheter is supported within a tubular guide that is curved to conform to the normal curvature of the tip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rack of the character stated that is fabricated from materials that will withstand sterilization .

With these and other objects, the nature of which will be apparent, the invention will be more fully understood by reference to the drawings, the accompanying detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a catheter storage rack constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail the invention, as illustrated, is embodied in a catheter storage rack and includes a rigid rectangular supporting plate 5 that may be formed from colored glass or any other suitable material that is capable of withstanding sterilization. A colored plate is preferred in order to provide visual contrast when a catheter is to be mounted thereon.

A short tubular guide 6 is affixed, as by cement, to the upper face of the plate 5 adjacent one corner thereof and a plurality of angularly spaced arcuate tubular guides 7 are similarly affixed thereto along the locus of the catheter coil to be formed. A tip guide 8 is secured to the plate 5 at the position of the distal tip of the catheter and is curved to conform to the shape of the catheter tip so that the tip will retain and be supported in its natural curve.

In use, the distal end of a catheter 9 is first lead through the guide 6 and then through successive guides 7 and into the tip guide 8 whereby to form the catheter into a coil and support same in that configuration.

The storage rack of this invention may also be used in any instance where a catheter is to be stored in a straight or uncoiled condition with its curved distal tip protected. In this event the plate 5 would be elongated and the guide 6 would be oriented in the long direction thereof with the guides 7 (now straight instead of arcuate) spaced along the locus of a straight line coaxial with the guide 6 and with the curved tip guide 8 at the distal end position.

Claims

We claim:

1. A sterilizing and storage rack for an elongated flexible cardiovascular catheter having a curved distal tip comprising a rigid supporting plate, a plurality of tubular guides being spaced along the locus of the desired catheter configuration, and a final tubular guide spaced along said locus at the distal end of said catheter and curved to support said curved distal tip.

2. The catheter storage rack of claim 1 in which said locus is a spiral.

3. The catheter storage rack of claim 1 in which said locus is a straight line.