摘要 |
An external retaining device, individually or in combination with a catheter having an elongate tube, is provided. The external retaining device includes a base member having a lower surface and an upper surface with a passage extending therethrough. A tube guide portion extending from the upper surface of the base member has two side walls with an elongate channel therebetween. The channel has a first section located proximate the passage and bends upwardly along a smooth transition to a second section angled relative to the first section. A manually-operable clip assembly is located proximate the second section of the channel. The clip assembly preferably includes opposing clip elements mounted for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. Preferably, pivotal movement is accomplished by forming the side walls of elastic material and affixing each clip element to a corresponding side wall, such that flexure of the side walls toward each other moves the clip elements to the open position. The elongate tube of the catheter is thereby directed through the passage and positioned within the channel to form a smooth 90° bend, and secured in place at the second section of the channel with the clip assembly moved to the closed position. An internal retaining device also can be used in combination with the external retaining device. |