Packaged system including a protective housing for a treatment device carried on a catheter

摘要

The present invention is a packaged system that includes a housing to protect a treatment device mounted on a distal portion of a catheter. The housing holds the device suspended such that there is little or no contact between the housing and the device, protecting the device from physical damage and also from exchange of chemical components between the device and the packaging materials, which can occur when a device remains in contact with packaging materials over an extended period of time. A port in the housing allows a controlled environment, for example a vacuum, to be maintained within the housing. A hollow stylet inserted into the distal end of the catheter before the catheter is placed in the housing precludes compression of the catheter and provides an injection port through which the catheter may be flushed with a fluid prior to use, eliminating the need for a separate flushing cannula.

主权项

1. A packaged system for treating a vascular condition, comprising:
a treatment device; a catheter, a distal portion of the catheter bearing the treatment device; a housing to receive the distal portion of the catheter bearing the treatment device and suspend the device in a protective well, the housing including a first portion rotatably attached to a second portion, the housing defining an opening through the housing into the protective well operable to receive the catheter; and a sealing member operable to encircle the catheter at the opening when the housing is closed; wherein the protective well comprises a central portion, a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion and the proximal portion having narrower cross-sections than the central portion; and wherein the protective well provides a controlled environment selected from the group consisting of a vacuum and inert gas about the treatment device when the housing is closed.