Packaging for Catheter Treatment Devices and Associated Devices, Systems, and Methods
Packaging for catheter treatment devices, such as catheters including multi-electrode arrays, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a catheter package assembly comprises a tray, a lid, and a coiled sheath disposed in the tray. The tray includes at least one pocket adapted to receive a distal end portion of a catheter. The tray and lid each include cooperative latching features. The sheath defines a lumen that is configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter.
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The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/716,451, filed Oct. 19, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present technology relates generally to packaging for medical devices. In particular, various embodiments of the present technology are directed to packaging for catheter treatment devices configured to protect delicate portions of the catheter while maintaining the catheter in a relatively small package size.
BACKGROUNDCatheters are generally tubular medical devices configured for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, lumens, or other suitable body cavities (e.g., to deliver energy to target tissue, to permit injection and/or withdrawal of fluids, to keep a passage open, etc.). Many advanced catheters are equipped with sophisticated therapeutic assemblies at distal end portions that are configured for delivery to various target treatment sites within the body. Such therapeutic assemblies are often delicate and complex components that require careful handling.
One example of such a device is a catheter treatment device having a multi-electrode array movable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally spiral/helical shape). The electrodes or energy delivery elements carried by the array can be configured to deliver energy (e.g., electrical energy, radio frequency (RF) electrical energy, pulsed electrical energy, thermal energy) to a target treatment site after being advanced via catheter along a percutaneous transluminal path (e.g., a femoral artery puncture, an iliac artery and the aorta, a radial artery, or another suitable intravascular path). The multi-electrode array can be sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the target artery when the array is in the deployed (e.g., spiral/helical) state within the artery. The multi-electrode array of the catheter treatment device can be particularly delicate, and can be susceptible to damage during shipping and handling if not packaged appropriately. Conventional catheter packaging generally includes a sheath that contains the catheter within its internal lumen contained in long, cumbersome boxes that allow catheters to be shipped in a straight configuration.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustrating clearly the principles of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components can be shown as transparent in certain views for clarity of illustration only and not to indicate that the illustrated component is necessarily transparent.
The present technology is directed to packaging for catheter treatment devices, such as catheters including multi-electrode arrays. Because such arrays are so delicate, packaging that protects the array is required. The packaging designs described in this disclosure are configured to support and protect the multi-electrode array at the tip of the catheter during transit, while also providing a significantly smaller footprint than traditional packaging arrangements. The disclosed packaging arrangements are also expected to require less components/materials than many conventional catheter packages.
Specific details of several embodiments of the technology are described below with reference to
As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” define a position or direction with respect to the treating clinician or clinician's control device (e.g., a handle assembly). “Distal” or “distally” are a position distant from or in a direction away from the clinician or clinician's control device. “Proximal” and “proximally” are a position near or in a direction toward the clinician or clinician's control device.
I. Catheter Package AssembliesThe first tangent portion 36 has a length L1 (e.g., approximately 7.5 inches) extending from the coil portion 34. The first tangent portion 36 may also include a flared tip 42 to facilitate removal of the sheath assembly 30 from the catheter shaft 4 (
Referring to
As best seen in
The catheter channel 52 can also include a coil groove 55 sized and configured to receive the sheath assembly 30 (
The lid 80 of the catheter container 20 is configured to mate with the tray 50 to provide an enclosed container for at least a portion of the catheter 10 (
The reliefs 96 provide clearance for protrusions 62 when the lid 80 is mated with the tray 50. Similarly, the lid 80 can include a plurality of notches 94 that correspond to the positioners 64. The notches 94 and positioners 64 may act in cooperation to index the lid 80 in the proper rotational position relative to the tray 50. In addition, the lid 80 may include a button 86 positioned to be inserted into a mating socket 72 located on the tray 50. The button 86 and socket 72 cooperatively provide additional indexing and location control for channel cover 82 and pocket cover 84. Furthermore, the button 86 may be configured to provide a friction fit when installed into the socket 72. In other embodiments, the lid 80 may include other features and/or have a different arrangement.
The lid 80 may be retained on the tray 50 by a latch feature 90. In this embodiment, for example, the latch feature 90 comprises a circular male feature including an undercut wall 92. The male latch feature 90 engages a corresponding latch feature 74 formed in the tray 50. In this embodiment, the latch feature 74 comprises a circular female feature that also includes an undercut wall. Cooperative latch features 90 and 74 may be snapped or pressed together to mate the lid 80 with the tray 50. The lid 80 may also include a tab 88 that extends over the pocket 56, thereby providing access to the edge of lid 80 to facilitate removal of the lid 80. In other embodiments, the latch features 74 and 90 may have a different configuration and/or the lid 80 may include a different number of latch features.
In the illustrated embodiment, the catheter container 20 is thermoformed as a single part. As shown in
Referring to
Meanwhile, the handle 2 can be positioned in the pocket 56 and retained therein by the protrusions 60. The cable assembly 15 may be installed into the cable pathway 68 and retained therein by the nubs 70. The associated components of the cable assembly 15, such as the cable and connector, may also be positioned in the cable cavity 58. The lid 80 may be removed from the tray portion 50 and positioned over the coil groove 55 as well as the catheter channel 52 and the pocket 54. In an another embodiment, the lid 80 may be hingedly rotated about a living hinge and positioned over the coil groove 55 as well as the catheter channel 52 and the pocket 54. Reliefs 96 and notches 94 can be aligned with the protrusions 62 and positioners 64, respectively. Finally, the cooperative latch feature 90 may be snapped into the associated female feature 74 of the tray 50, and the button 86 may be engaged with the socket 72 such that the lid 80 covers the most sensitive/delicate portions of the catheter 10. The catheter packaging assembly 5 may then be sealed in a sterile bag and inserted into a protective box (described below with reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the catheter shaft 4 is retained in a coiled state by a plurality of channel protrusions 262. The catheter container 220 can be formed with pockets 254, 256 shaped to hold the catheter 10 in a coiled configuration as shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
As best seen in
Another feature of the disclosed catheter packaging assemblies is that the cable assembly 15 may be removed from the packaging and plugged into an external energy generator (not shown) for testing while the remainder of the cable and catheter remain contained within the packaging. Further, as shown in
The catheter channel 652 can also include a coil groove 655 sized and configured to receive a sheath assembly 630. In this embodiment, the sheath assembly 630 is a coil of tubing that is bonded, welded, or otherwise secured to itself to retain the tubing in a coiled configuration. As best shown in
The tray 650 can also include a wire path 668 configured to receive the cable assembly 15 (
The lid 680 of the catheter container 620 is configured to mate with the tray 650 to provide an enclosed container for at least a portion of the catheter 10. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the lid 680 is constructed to cover only the sheath assembly 630 and the multi-electrode array 6. Accordingly, the lid 680 includes a channel cover portion 682 with an associated concave pocket cover 684. When installed, the lid 680 is positioned to cover the sensitive and delicate portions of the catheter 10. The lid 680 may include a button 686 positioned to be inserted into a mating socket 672 located on the tray 650. The button 686 and socket 672 cooperatively provide indexing and location control for the channel cover 682 and the pocket cover 684. Furthermore, the button 686 may be configured to provide a friction fit when installed into the socket 672. In other embodiments, however, the lid 680 may include other features and/or have a different arrangement.
The lid 680 may be retained on the tray 650 by a latch feature 690. In this embodiment, for example, the latch feature 690 is a circular male feature that includes an undercut wall 692. The male latch feature 690 engages a corresponding female latch feature 674 formed in the tray 650. In this embodiment, the latch feature 674 is a circular female feature that also includes an undercut wall. Cooperative latch features 690 and 674 may be snapped or pressed together to mate the lid 680 with the tray 650. In other embodiments, the latch features 674 and 690 may have a different configuration and/or the lid 680 may include a different number of latch features.
IV. Protective BoxesIn some embodiments, the disclosed catheter package assemblies may also be packaged in a protective box. Conventional catheter boxes typically open at one end and require users to reach deep into the box to pull out the catheter. Such boxes also tend to use corrugate, which has an unclean stigma to it.
As shown in the flat pattern of
The following examples are illustrative of several embodiments of the present technology:
1. A catheter package assembly for removably storing a catheter, the catheter package assembly comprising:
a tray including at least one pocket adapted to receive a multi-electrode array at a distal portion of the catheter;
a lid pivotably attached to the tray, wherein the tray and lid each include cooperative latching features;
a sheath assembly disposed in the tray, wherein the sheath assembly defines a lumen therethrough configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter; and
a plurality of clips removably attached to the sheath assembly and configured to retain the sheath assembly in a coiled configuration in the tray.
2. The catheter package assembly of example 1 wherein the tray further comprises a handle pocket configured to receive a handle of the catheter.
3. The catheter package assembly of example 1 or example 2 wherein the tray further comprises a plurality of protrusions positioned to engage the sheath assembly and removably retain the sheath assembly in the tray in a snap fit arrangement.
4. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 1 to 3 wherein the lid, when cooperatively mated with the tray, is configured to cover only the sheath assembly and the multi-electrode array of the catheter.
5. A catheter package assembly for removably containing and protecting a catheter, the catheter container comprising:
a tray including—
-
- a pocket configured to receive a therapeutic assembly at a distal portion of the catheter;
- a handle pocket configured to receive a handle of the catheter; and
- a channel extending between the pocket and handle pocket, wherein the channel includes a coil groove;
a sheath removably disposed in the coil groove, wherein the sheath comprises a lumen therethrough configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter; and
a lid configured to mate with the tray and provide an enclosed container for a portion of the catheter.
6. The catheter package assembly of example 5 wherein the tray includes a plurality of protrusions adjacent the handle pocket and positioned to removably retain the handle in the handle pocket.
7. The catheter package assembly of example 5 or example 6 wherein the lid comprises a lid pocket cover and a lid channel cover portion, and wherein, when the lid is mated with the tray in a closed configuration—
the pocket cover and lid pocket cover cooperatively contain and protect the therapeutic assembly at the distal portion of the catheter; and
the channel cover portion and lid channel cover portion cooperatively contain and protect the sheath.
8. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 5 to 7, further comprising a cable assembly cavity in the coil groove.
9. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 5 to 8 wherein the sheath is secured to itself, thereby retaining the sheath in a coiled configuration.
10. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 5 to 9 wherein the coiled sheath is welded to itself.
11. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 5 to 10 wherein the channel further comprises a retainer feature proximate the pocket, and wherein the retainer feature is configured to removably retain the sheath in the channel.
12. The catheter package assembly of example 11 wherein the channel comprises an end stop feature between the retainer feature and the pocket, and wherein the sheath assembly is configured to be retained in the channel against the end stop feature by the retainer feature.
13. A catheter package assembly, comprising:
a tray including at least one pocket adapted to receive a therapeutic assembly at a distal portion of a catheter; and
a coiled sheath removably disposed in the tray, wherein the sheath defines a lumen therethrough, and wherein the lumen is configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter.
14. The catheter package assembly of example 13 further comprising a lid pivotably coupled to the tray.
15. The catheter package assembly of example 14 wherein the tray and lid each include cooperative latching features.
16. The catheter package assembly of example 14 or example 15 wherein the lid includes a pocket cover.
17. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 13 to 16 wherein the tray includes a handle pocket.
18. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 13 to 17, further comprising a plurality of clips attached to the sheath and positioned to retain the sheath in a coiled configuration.
19. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 13 to 18 wherein the tray includes a plurality of protrusions positioned to retain the coiled sheath in the tray.
20. The catheter package assembly of any one of examples 13 to 17 wherein the tray includes protrusions configured to grasp the sheath and retain the sheath in a coiled configuration.
VI. ConclusionThe above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, the catheter package assemblies and catheter containers described herein may be used with catheters having therapeutic assemblies with a variety of different configurations (e.g., single electrode, expandable basket, expandable balloon, one or more transducers, etc.). Further, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform steps in a different order. The various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively.
Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. Further, while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
Claims
1. A catheter package assembly for removably storing a catheter, the catheter package assembly comprising:
- a tray including at least one pocket adapted to receive a multi-electrode array at a distal portion of the catheter;
- a lid pivotably attached to the tray, wherein the tray and lid each include cooperative latching features;
- a sheath assembly disposed in the tray, wherein the sheath assembly defines a lumen therethrough configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter; and
- a plurality of clips removably attached to the sheath assembly and configured to retain the sheath assembly in a coiled configuration in the tray.
2. The catheter package assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray further comprises a handle pocket configured to receive a handle of the catheter.
3. The catheter package assembly of claim 1 wherein the tray further comprises a plurality of protrusions positioned to engage the sheath assembly and removably retain the sheath assembly in the tray in a snap fit arrangement.
4. The catheter package assembly of claim 1 wherein the lid, when cooperatively mated with the tray, is configured to cover only the sheath assembly and the multi-electrode array of the catheter.
5. A catheter package assembly for removably containing and protecting a catheter, the catheter package assembly comprising:
- a tray including— a pocket configured to receive a therapeutic assembly at a distal portion of the catheter; a handle pocket configured to receive a handle of the catheter; and a channel extending between the pocket and handle pocket, wherein the channel includes a coil groove;
- a sheath removably disposed in the coil groove, wherein the sheath comprises a lumen therethrough configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter; and
- a lid configured to mate with the tray and provide an enclosed container for a portion of the catheter.
6. The catheter package assembly of claim 5 wherein the tray includes a plurality of protrusions adjacent the handle pocket and positioned to removably retain the handle in the handle pocket.
7. The catheter package assembly of claim 5 wherein the lid comprises a lid pocket cover and a lid channel cover portion, and wherein, when the lid is mated with the tray in a closed configuration—
- the pocket cover and lid pocket cover cooperatively contain and protect the therapeutic assembly at the distal portion of the catheter; and
- the channel cover portion and lid channel cover portion cooperatively contain and protect the sheath.
8. The catheter package assembly of claim 5, further comprising a cable assembly cavity in the coil groove.
9. The catheter package assembly of claim 5 wherein the coiled sheath is secured to itself, thereby retaining the sheath in a coiled configuration.
10. The catheter package assembly of claim 9 wherein the coiled sheath is welded to itself.
11. The catheter package assembly of claim 5 wherein the channel further comprises a retainer feature proximate the pocket, and wherein the retainer feature is configured to removably retain the sheath in the channel.
12. The catheter package assembly of claim 11 wherein the channel comprises an end stop feature between the retainer feature and the pocket, and wherein the sheath assembly is configured to be retained in the channel against the end stop feature by the retainer feature.
13. A catheter package assembly, comprising:
- a tray including at least one pocket adapted to receive a therapeutic assembly at a distal portion of a catheter; and
- a coiled sheath removably disposed in the tray, wherein the sheath defines a lumen therethrough, and wherein the lumen is configured to receive an elongate shaft of the catheter.
14. The catheter package assembly of claim 13 further comprising a lid pivotably coupled to the tray.
15. The catheter package assembly of claim 14 wherein the tray and lid each include cooperative latching features.
16. The catheter package assembly of claim 14 wherein the lid includes a pocket cover.
17. The catheter package assembly of claim 13 wherein the tray includes a handle pocket.
18. The catheter package assembly of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of clips attached to the sheath and positioned to retain the sheath in a coiled configuration.
19. The catheter package assembly of claim 18 wherein the tray includes a plurality of protrusions positioned to retain the coiled sheath in the tray.
20. The catheter package assembly of claim 13 wherein the tray includes protrusions configured to grasp the sheath and retain the sheath in a coiled configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 15, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2014
Applicant: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l. (Luxembourg)
Inventor: Hagop S. Terzibashian (Santa Rosa, CA)
Application Number: 13/840,484
International Classification: A61M 25/00 (20060101);