Abstract: A catheter having a radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker is disposed on a distal end of the catheter tube and is configured to allow for simple and efficient identification of the location of a predetermined drainage bore on an X-ray or other radiographic technique. In one implementation, the radiopaque marker is associated with the catheter tube such that inclusion of the radiopaque marker does not increase the outer diameter or decrease the inner diameter of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dilator having a stiffened shaft for use as part of an introducer sheath assembly. The dilator includes a stiffener tube and a tip of the dilator which extends distally to the dilator stiffener tube. The transition between the stiffener tube and the tip of the dilator is positioned such that when the dilator is positioned within the catheter sheath, the transition is also positioned within the catheter sheath. By positioning the transition between the stiffener tube of the dilator and the tip of the dilator inside the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath can provide strain relief subsequent to lateral movement of the tip of the dilator in a manner that can prevent kinking of the dilator tip at the transition between the stiffener tip and the tip of the dilator.

Abstract: A drainage catheter, including a catheter tube body that can have a pig-tail loop in a distal end, a rigid member configured to be placed inside of the catheter, a pig-tail straightening sleeve configured to move axially along the tube body, the sleeve having a lip formed on an end of the sleeve, the lip being configured to be positioned towards the distal end of the tube body, thereby straightening the catheter tube body and facilitating entry of the rigid member into the catheter tube body when the pig-tail straightening sleeve is positioned to straighten the catheter tube body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dilator having a stiffened shaft for use as part of an introducer sheath assembly. The dilator includes a stiffener tube and a tip of the dilator which extends distally to the dilator stiffener tube. The transition between the stiffener tube and the tip of the dilator is positioned such that when the dilator is positioned within the catheter sheath, the transition is also positioned within the catheter sheath. By positioning the transition between the stiffener tube of the dilator and the tip of the dilator inside the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath can provide strain relief subsequent to lateral movement of the tip of the dilator in a manner that can prevent kinking of the dilator tip at the transition between the stiffener tip and the tip of the dilator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dilator having a stiffened shaft for use as part of an introducer sheath assembly. The dilator includes a stiffener tube and a tip of the dilator which extends distally to the dilator stiffener tube. The transition between the stiffener tube and the tip of the dilator is positioned such that when the dilator is positioned within the catheter sheath, the transition is also positioned within the catheter sheath. By positioning the transition between the stiffener tube of the dilator and the tip of the dilator inside the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath can provide strain relief subsequent to lateral movement of the tip of the dilator in a manner that can prevent kinking of the dilator tip at the transition between the stiffener tip and the tip of the dilator.

Abstract: A drainage catheter hub having a rotatable lever handle adapted to secure a suture thread to maintain the anchor configuration of the distal end of the catheter to secure the position of the catheter within the patient's body. The rotatable lever handle has a released position for allowing movement of the suture and a secured position for preventing movement of the suture. A suture securement ridge adapted to secure the proximal portion of the suture that may otherwise remain loose during the procedure. The rotatable lever handle and associated rotatable barrel can be depressed relative to hub body in a locked configuration to prevent inadvertent rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle and a release slot or release button that can be actuated by the practitioner to allow for rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle.

Abstract: A drainage catheter hub for use in connection with a drainage catheter to receive and secure a suture therein, wherein the hub includes: (i) a housing having a channel to accommodate the suture therein; (ii) a bistable locking mechanism positioned in the housing and being adapted to provide selective securement of the suture; and (iii) a resilient outer layer utilized in connection with the bistable locking mechanism and coupled to the housing. The bistable locking mechanism is configured to: (i) allow movement of the suture when the bistable locking mechanism is in a first position; and (ii) minimize axial movement of the suture when the bistable locking mechanism is in a second position. The resilient outer layer is adapted to allow a user to actuate the bistable locking mechanism between the first and second positions to selectively secure and release the suture.

Abstract: A catheter kit including a drainage catheter hub having a rotatable lever handle adapted to secure a suture thread to maintain the anchor configuration of the distal end of the catheter to secure the position of the catheter within the patient's body. The rotatable lever handle has a released position for allowing movement of the suture and a secured position for preventing movement of the suture. A rotatable lever handle adapted to secure the proximal portion of the suture that may otherwise remain loose during the procedure. The rotatable lever handle and associated rotatable barrel can be depressed relative to hub body in a locked configuration to prevent inadvertent rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle and a release slot or release button that can be actuated by the practitioner with a release tool to allow for rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle.

Abstract: A drainage catheter having a weld to secure the distal end of the catheter in an anchor configuration. The suture is welded into a loop at the distal end of the suture to secure the anchor configuration of the distal end of the catheter either directly or by securing the suture to a stylet positioned in the catheter wall. A plurality of drainage bores are positioned on the inside diameter of the anchor loop to provide advantageous draining of fluid into the lumen of the catheter. The drainage catheter includes a stylet and stylet lumen positioned in the sidewall of the catheter approximately 90 degrees from the inside diameter of the catheter tube and drainage allowing the drainage bores on the inside diameter of the drainage catheter to operate without obstruction from the stylet and suture.

Abstract: A drainage catheter hub having a rotatable lever handle adapted to secure a suture thread to maintain the anchor configuration of the distal end of the catheter to secure the position of the catheter within the patient's body. The rotatable lever handle has a released position for allowing movement of the suture and a secured position for preventing movement of the suture. A suture securement ridge adapted to secure the proximal portion of the suture that may otherwise remain loose during the procedure. The rotatable lever handle and associated rotatable barrel can be depressed relative to hub body in a locked configuration to prevent inadvertent rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle and a release slot or release button that can be actuated by the practitioner to allow for rotational movement of the rotatable lever handle.

Abstract: The drainage catheter hub includes a locking cam for securing a suture to maintain an anchor configuration of the distal end of the drainage catheter. The locking cam is rotatable to a first position for securing the suture and a second position for releasing the suture. The locking cam includes a tapered surface which includes a release portion and a securement portion. The release portion allows movement of the suture while the securement portion cooperatively engages the suture in connection with the seat to minimize movement of the suture.

Abstract: A catheter having a radiopaque marker. The radiopaque marker is disposed on a distal end of the catheter tube and is configured to allow for simple and efficient identification of the location of a predetermined drainage bore on an X-ray or other radiographic technique. In one implementation, the radiopaque marker is associated with the catheter tube such that inclusion of the radiopaque marker does not increase the outer diameter or decrease the inner diameter of the tube.

Abstract: A reversible lockable drainage catheter for use in draining excess bodily fluid in a tissue having a catheter tube with a proximal end and a distal end, and a lockable hub positioned about the catheter tube. A suture of the drainage catheter can be reversibly tensioned, and locked in the tensioned conformation by depressing one or more surfaces of the lockable hub. The suture can then be released also by depressing one or more surface of the lockable hub, or by implementing one or more additional safety release mechanisms. For example, a safety release can be pulled in a proximal direction to release a tensioned suture. Similarly, the suture can be tensioned to a point that stretches an attachment point of the drainage catheter tube, and also causes the suture and safety release mechanism to disengage.