| 摘要 |
The present invention is generally directed to a strain relief device which assists in resisting bending and/or torsional forces while at the same time resisting axial pull forces to avoid separation of the strain relief device from the catheter tube during use. By way of example, the strain relief device of the present invention preferably includes an elongate body formed of an elastomeric material having a lumen formed therethrough along its entire length. The strain relief device lumen may be generally divided into proximal, central and distal portions which may each be of varying and/or different diameters. The strain relief device is preferably placed about a selected portion of the catheter tube, and the proximal and distal portions are bonded to the catheter tube. The inner diameter of the proximal portion may be approximately equal to the inner diameter of the distal portion and the central section has an inner diameter which is significantly larger than the inner diameter of either the distal or proximal portion of the strain relief device. Additionally, the inner diameter of the distal and proximal portions of the strain relief device are only slightly larger than the outer diameter of the catheter tube, and each of the distal and proximal portions includes one or more vent areas to allow air to escape from the central section while the bonding material flows into the proximal and distal portions of the strain relief device. |
