Catheter loading device and method of using same

摘要

A catheter loading device includes a guidewire section, a catheter section, and a hinge that connects a proximal end of the guidewire section to a distal end of the catheter section. The guidewire section is rotatable relative to the catheter section about a rotation axis between a first position and a second position. When the guidewire section is in the first position, a longitudinal axis of a guidewire positioned in a channel of the guidewire section is aligned with a longitudinal axis of a lumen of a catheter positioned in a receiver of the catheter section. When the guidewire section is in the second position, the longitudinal axis of the guidewire positioned in the channel is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lumen of the catheter positioned in the receiver.

主权项

1. A catheter loading device, comprising:
a guidewire section having a channel configured to receive a guidewire, wherein the channel extends along a channel axis from a free end of the guidewire section towards a proximal end of the guidewire section, wherein a width of the channel adjacent the proximal end thereof is sufficiently narrow to align the guidewire with the channel axis; a catheter section comprising a tubular receiver having a lumen configured such that a catheter having a lumen receptive to the guidewire may be slidably disposed therethrough and extending from proximal and distal ends of the receiver lumen, wherein the receiver distal end is connected to a distal end of the catheter section via a tab and the receiver extends along a receiver axis from the distal end of the catheter section to or beyond a free end of the tab; and a hinge rotatably connecting the proximal end of the guidewire section to the distal end of the catheter section, wherein the hinge defines a rotation axis transverse to the receiver axis; wherein the guidewire section is rotatable relative to the catheter section about the rotation axis between a first position and a second position; wherein, when the guidewire section is in the first position, a longitudinal axis of the guidewire positioned in the channel is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the catheter positioned in the receiver, and wherein, when the guidewire section is in the second position, the longitudinal axis of the guidewire positioned in the channel is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the lumen of the catheter positioned in the receiver such that the guidewire section does not contact the catheter when the loading device is slid proximally along the catheter.