Abstract:
A suction catheter system including a durable transparent pouch used to hold irrigating solution and a catheter in a contaminant-free environment between uses. The suction catheter system allows the practitioner to reuse the catheter several times for the same patient rather than using a new catheter for each suctioning when the practitioner needs use of both hands and has to lay the catheter down.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A suction catheter system including a durable transparent pouch used to hold irrigating solution and a catheter in a contaminant-free environment between uses. The suction catheter system allows the practitioner to reuse the catheter several times for the same patient rather than using a new catheter for each suctioning when the practitioner needs use of both hands and has to lay the catheter down. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art catheter kits included a catheter and a small basin having irrigating solution where the catheter is flushed after use. The catheter is often disposed of after each use to prevent contamination and, in the alternative, as long as the practitioner does not set the catheter down, the catheter can be reused. The problem with the prior art catheter kits, such as just described, arises when suctioning a patient. Suctioning often requires more than one or two quick suctions. Oftentimes the user places the catheter on the bed or over a contaminant-rich work surface between suctioning procedures to free up both hands for other procedures. Practitioners who follow the rules do not set the catheter down and, consequently, do not have the use of both hands during the suctioning process. Obviously, the use of both hands is preferred and desirable during the suctioning process. The present invention allows the practitioner to free up his hands because it includes a contaminant-free pouch which holds the catheter between uses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a suction catheter system that can be used more than once on the same patient during the same or consecutive medical procedures. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a transparent pouch, including surgical gloves, a catheter, and various adhesive strips used to secure the pouch to a work surface and also to hold the catheter in a manageable position between uses. A sealing path is provided along and about the upper region of the pouch for adhesive sealing of the interior of the pouch. The pouch also serves as a reservoir for irrigating solution used in the procedure. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the freeing up of both of a practitioner&#39;s hands between suctioning events. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the ability to reuse a catheter multiple times during a medical procedure. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a means of holding the catheter system to a work surface. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a pouch with the capacity to hold irrigating solution. 
     An additional significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the double-stick tape which holds the catheter stem in an easily accessible location within the pouch. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the contaminant-free environment provided in the pouch. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a pull tab or other means which allows the user to access the pouch without contaminating its interior. 
     Having thus briefly described an embodiment of the present invention and enumerated certain significant aspects and features thereof, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a suction catheter system that can be used multiple times. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a contaminant-free environment for holding a catheter between suctionings. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to reuse suction catheters. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a means of securing the suction catheter system to a work surface. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide easy access to the catheter subsequent to the initial suctioning. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a contaminant-free pouch which holds irrigating solution for flushing debris from a catheter. 
     Further, while the suction catheter is held secure in the pouch, the practitioner can use both hands. The hand holding the suction catheter itself still needs to remain sterile. Sterility can be accomplished by using the paper wrap that the enclosed gloves are initially wrapped in. The sterile part of the wrap is held by the suction catheter hand which then is used to help disconnect the ventilator tubing or to take the tip off the irrigation container. Sterility can also be accomplished by using the inside sterile part of the sealing panel. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system, the present invention, in a position for use; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system as it would be packaged before use; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system prior to full utilization; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of the suction catheter system; 
     FIG. 5, a first alternative embodiment, illustrates a front view of a suction catheter system; 
     FIG. 6, a second alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system represented by its most prominent feature, an elongated pouch, that feature occasioning the name elongated pouch system by which this alternative embodiment is also known; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the elongated pouch system, as presented for use; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the elongated pouch system of FIG. 6 prior to full utilization; 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the suction catheter shown in FIG. 6 but not including the high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strip; 
     FIG. 10, a third alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system in a position for use; 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system of FIG. 10 as it would be packaged for use; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system of FIG. 10 prior to full utilization; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a cross sectional view along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10 showing activation of the pouch; 
     FIG. 14, a fourth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter in a position for use; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system as it would be packaged before use; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system prior to full utilization; 
     FIG. 17, a fifth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock; 
     FIG. 18 illustrates an end view of the flat-sided Luer lock; 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock and of an intravenous catheter aligned prior to mutual engagement; 
     FIG. 20 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock and catheter; 
     FIG. 21, a sixth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector; 
     FIG. 22 illustrates an end view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector; 
     FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector and of an intravenous catheter aligned prior to mutual engagement; and, 
     FIG. 24 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector and catheter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system  10 , the present invention, in a position for use. The suction catheter system  10  is comprised of a catheter  12  having a catheter tip  14  and a catheter stem  16 , a transparent pouch  18  which holds irrigating solution  20 , and other members as described herein. The transparent pouch  18 , fashioned generally of durable clear and transparent flexible plastic panels, includes a rear panel  18   a  and a front panel  18   b  of shorter vertical dimension than that of the rear panel  18   a . The shorter front panel  18   b  is suitably secured and bonded to the rear panel  18   a , such as by ultrasonic welding, heat treatment, adhesive or the like, thereby forming planar connected layered planar edges including a left planar edge  18   c , a bottom planar edge  18   d , and a right planar edge  18   e . The upper portion of the rear panel  18   a  forms an anchoring flap  18   j . Suitably located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48  is provided on the rear surface of a sealing panel  35  to enable sealing of the pouch  18  by the sealing panel  35 . With reference to FIGS. 3 and 1, the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48  on the rear surface of the sealing panel  35  seals along a sealing path  47  extending along the top planar edge  18   g  of the rear panel  18   a , then from the top planar edge  18   g  of the rear panel  18   a  and along the non-layered left and right planar edges  18   h  and  18   i , respectively, of the rear panel  18   a  and thence beyond the upper edge or lip  18   f  of the front panel  18   b  continuing a short distance onto the left planar edge  18   c  and right planar edge  18   e , and horizontally across the front panel  18   b  between the left planar edge  18   c  and the right planar edge  18   e  in close proximity to the upper edge or lip  18   f  of the front panel  18   b . Heat or other methods may be used to transfer the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48  from the sealing panel  35  to the sealing path  47 . In the alternative, one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive, shown alternatively with reference numeral  46 , could be applied to the sealing path  47  in lieu of the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48  on the rear surface of the sealing panel  35 . Such adhesive arrangements offer a suitable arrangement for sealing of the pouch  18  by the sealing panel  35 . As yet another alternative, suitable adhesive could be utilized to include adhesive coverage on both the rear surface of the sealing panel  35  and on the front of the pouch  18  in the planar areas previously described which utilized the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  46 . In addition, instructions  36  are included on the front surface of the sealing panel  35 . Also included in the invention are surgical gloves  34  in a sterile wrapping  39  which are removed during use of the invention. The pouch  18  includes a pull tab  22  attached to the front panel  18   b  which allows the user to easily expand the pouch  18  without contaminating its contents. The pull tab  22  is formed of a strip of material which is folded so as to create a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion is bonded to the front panel  18   b  of the pouch  18 . The suction catheter system  10  includes one or more double-sided adhesive strips  24  on the upper backside of the rear panel  18   a  of pouch  18  which secures the suction catheter system  10  in an upright fashion to a work surface  32 . The work surface  32  is illustrated as an ordinary table, but the suction catheter system  10  may be secured to a patient care table, a bed rail, the top side of a cabinet, an operating room table or any other suitable structure at any suitable location. The forward side of the adhesive strip  24  adheres to the upper rearward side of the rear panel  18   a  by high pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) and the rearward side of the adhesive strip  24  is coated with a medium pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) for releasable adhesion to the work surface  32 . The portion of the rear panel  18   a  between the planar edges  18   h  and  18   i  is folded at a right angle to the pouch  18  and is secured to the work surface  32  by the adhesive strip  24 . A backing strip  40  is located on the rear of the adhesive strip  24 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such positioning presents the upper edge or lip  18   f  of the pouch for easy and convenient access to the interior of the pouch  18  at the level of the work surface  32 . There is also provided a double-sided adhesive strip  28  with a backing strip  44  on the catheter stem  16  which may be utilized to conveniently hold the catheter  12  in the pouch  18  when not in use. Alternatively, there is another double-sided adhesive strip  26  having a backing strip  42  near the right side of the opening of the pouch  18  which serves the same purpose. All of the strips of adhesive are of a medical grade, non-latex and hypoallergenic material with the exception of any exterior strips which may or may not be of medical grade hypoallergenic material. Most hospitals and nursing homes have Formica work surfaces, and the double-sided appropriately adhesived materials can easily be removed without damaging the work surface. The uses of these adhesive strips will become more clear when described in the mode of operation. It is to be understood that the size of the adhesive strips  24 ,  26  and  28 , as well as the pouch  18 , may vary due to the size of the catheter  12  needed, and that the size in no way changes the function or use of the suction catheter system  10 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. This illustration shows the suction catheter system  10  as it would be packaged before use, including the pouch  18 , the catheter  12  contained interior to the pouch  18 , an internally located and preferably packaged pair of sterile surgical gloves  34  surrounded by a sterile wrapping  39 , and instructions  36  on the sealing panel  35  of pouch  18 . The one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48  of the sealing panel  35  adheres to and seals off the pouch  18  and keeps it sterile until use. The surgical gloves  34  need not be included in the pouch  18  or may be discarded if the practitioner prefers another style of surgical gloves  34 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10  prior to full utilization. Removal of the sealing panel  35  reveals the location of the alternatively-located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  46  and the backing strips located in the upper region of the pouch  18 . The removal of the sealing panel  35  shows the location of the sealing path  47  to which the sealing panel  35  previously and sealingly adhered, which is co-located with the alternatively-placed one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  46 . The location of the double-sided adhesive strip  24  and backing strip  40  along the rearward side of the rear panel  18   a  and in close adjacent proximity to the top planar edge  18   g  of the rear panel  18   a  is shown; and the location of the doubled-sided adhesive strip  26  and backing strip  42  located between upper region and rearward side of the front panel  18   b  and the forward side of the rear panel  18   a  is shown. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of the suction catheter system  10 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. This illustration shows the suction catheter system  10  as it would be packaged before use. Illustrated in particular are the backing strips  40 ,  42  and  44  which protect the double-sided adhesive strips  24 ,  26  and  28  when packaged. The suction catheter system  10  will be more easily understood when described in the mode of operation. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the mode of operation is now described. First, the instructions  36  on the sealing panel  35  may be read prior to use to refresh the user&#39;s memory on the procedure for using the suction catheter system  10 . Next, the sealing panel  35  is removed, thereby opening the pouch  18 . The catheter  12  is gripped through the pouch  18  and the packaged surgical gloves  34  are shaken out of the pouch  18  and onto a preferably clean work surface  32 . Backing strip  40  is then removed and the sealing panel  35  can be adheringly relocated to the horizontal work surface  32 , if desired. The pull tab  22  is then grasped and urged in a forward direction, thus opening pouch  18  by distancing the upper edge or lip  18   f  of the front panel  18   b , as well as the front panel  18   b  itself, from the rear panel  18   a . Irrigating solution  20  is then poured into the pouch  18 . The suction catheter system  10  may be used without irrigating solution if it is not required for the suctioning procedure. The practitioner then dons the surgical gloves  34  and removes the backing strip  42  inside pouch  18  or the backing strip  44  on the catheter stem  16 . When ready to use, the practitioner removes the catheter  12  from pouch  18  and appropriately connects it to the suctioning apparatus. The patient can now be suctioned. Once the initial suctioning is completed, the catheter tip  14  may be inserted into the irrigating solution  20  where the suctioning apparatus flushes debris out of the catheter  12 , preparing it for its next use. The catheter  12  is then coiled up and placed back in the irrigating solution  20  where the catheter stem  16  is temporarily secured to the inside of the pouch  18  by means of the adhesive strip  28  on the catheter stem  16  as shown in FIG. 1 or is temporarily secured to the inside of pouch  18  by adhesive strip  26 . In order to secure the catheter stem  16  to the inside of pouch  18  without contaminating it, the catheter stem  16  is adheringly positioned to the appropriate adhesive surface by squeezing the outside of pouch  18  to force contact therewith. When the practitioner is ready for the next suctioning, the catheter stem  16  is easily removed from the inside walls of pouch  18  by overcoming the adhesion of the utilized adhesive strip. This procedure may be repeated as many times as necessary using the same suction catheter system. When suctioning is complete, the entire pouch  18 , catheter  12  and irrigating solution  20  are thrown away. The suction catheter system  10  may be easily adapted for use with other types of catheters and other medical and dental instruments requiring a contaminant-free holding area. To prevent contamination of the catheter when the use of both hands is required, the practitioner can utilize the inner and sterile surface of the sealing panel  35 . 
     During opening of the pouch  18 , the practitioner places the sealing panel  35  on a convenient work surface with the sterile side facing up. The sealing panel, having one upwardly-facing sterile surface, acts as a barrier when the use of both hands is required for other procedures. The sealing panel  35  can be picked up easily with the sterile gloved hand that will hold the catheter tip  14 . This same gloved hand can then be used to disconnect the ventilator tubing from the endotracheal tube or to remove the tip from the irrigating solution container. Another option is for the practitioner to use the sterile paper wrapping  39  that housed the surgical gloves  34  to keep the catheter hand sterile. 
     FIG. 5, a first alternative embodiment, illustrates a suction catheter system  10 A, where all numerals previously mentioned correspond to those elements previously described, incorporating a sealing panel  35   a  similar in construction to the previously described sealing panel  35 , but in addition having a pull tab  50  extending from the lower edge of the sealing panel  35   a . The location of the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  48 , as previously described, is also utilized at the rear surface of the sealing panel  35   a  to seal against the sealing path  47  of the pouch  18  to effect a sealed interior of the pouch  18 . The rear surface of the pull tab  50  does not include the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  46  and thus the pull tab  50  can be readily grasped for removal of the panel  35   a  from and for quick access to the pouch  18 . 
     FIG. 6, a second alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system  10 B, the present invention, in a position for use. The suction catheter system  10 B is represented by its most prominent feature, an elongated pouch  60 , which holds a suction tube or other medical device, not illustrated, and which is constructed in accordance with many of the elements and structures described in FIGS. 1-5. The elongated pouch  60  is fashioned of a rear panel  60   a  which is continuous with an anchoring flap  60   h  of TYVEK® or other suitable material, and a front panel  60   b  of durable clear and transparent flexible plastic material of shorter vertical dimension than that of the rear panel  60   a . The shorter front panel  60   b  can include extra panel material to allow for outward expansion for carriage of a suction tube. A flap  60   c , being continuous with the front panel  60   b , foldingly extends in close proximity back along the upper region of the front panel  60   b  to form an upper edge or lip  60   d  at the top of the elongated pouch  60 . The lower edge of flap  60   c  is attached or anchored to the front panel  60   b  by a high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strip  61  or a highly adhesive glue disposed therebetween. In the alternative, more than one double-sided adhesive strip may be used in lieu of a single double-sided adhesive strip  61 . The shorter front panel  60   b  is suitably secured in a durable fashion by a high pressure sensitive adhesive  63  or, alternatively, can be bonded to the rear panel  60   a , such as by ultrasonic welding, heat treatment, other types of adhesive or the like, thereby forming durable planar connected layered planar edges including a left planar edge  60   e , a bottom planar edge  60   f , and a right planar edge  60   g . Durably sealed planar edges protect the integrity of the elongated pouch  60  should overstressing occur during opening of the elongated pouch  60  or by inadvertent tension applied by a contained suction tube when the suction tube is clumsily removed from or when sideways pressure is exerted by improper removal of the suction tube or other device from the elongated pouch  60 . The anchoring flap  60   h , being a part of and an extension of the rear panel  60   a , is utilized in anchoring the suction catheter system  10 B to a suitable work surface, as later described in detail. Also, included on the upwardly-facing surface of the anchoring flap  60   h  is a one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  which is heated by a shaped contact or other suitable heater to melt and transfer the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  along a sealing path  64  on the forward surface of the flap  60   c  suitably shaped as a chevron or other suitable shape. Such transferred one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  has a filmy quality subsequent to transfer and is then readily visible on the flap  60   c . The suitably located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  is transferringly located on the outwardly-facing surface of the flap  60   c  and seals the elongated pouch  60  along and about the anchoring flap  60   h . In the alternative, one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive, shown alternatively with reference numeral  66 , could be applied to the sealing path  64  just described in lieu of the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  which is adheringly transferred to the flap  60   c . Such adhesive arrangements offer a suitable arrangement for sealing of the elongated pouch  60  by the anchoring flap  60   h . As yet another alternative, suitable adhesive could be utilized to include adhesive coverage on both the anchoring flap  60   h  and on the front of the flap  60   c  of the elongated pouch  60  to provide for adhesion along the sealing path  64 . The suction catheter system  10 B includes an upper double-sided adhesive strip  68  and a similarly fashioned lower double-sided adhesive strip  70  on the backside of the anchoring flap  60   h  and on the lower rear-facing surface of the rear panel  60   a . The upper double-sided adhesive strip  68  secures the suction catheter system  10 B in an upright fashion to a work surface  32 . The work surface  32  is illustrated as an ordinary table, but the suction catheter system  10 B may be secured to a patient care table, a bed rail, the top side of a cabinet, an operating room table or any other suitable structure at any suitable location. The lower double-sided adhesive strip  70  is used to suitably anchor the bottom of the elongated pouch  60  to a suitable surface, if present. One side of the adhesive strip  68  adheres to the rear surface of the anchoring flap  60   h  by high pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) and the rearward side of the adhesive strip  68  is coated with a medium pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) for releasable adhesion to the work surface  32 . A backing strip  74  is located on the outward surface of the adhesive strip  68  and a backing strip  76  is located on the outward surface of the double-sided adhesive strip  70 , as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. All of the strips can be of adhesive of a medical grade, non-latex and hypoallergenic material, if desired. Most hospitals and nursing homes have Formica work surfaces, and the double-sided appropriately adhesive materials can easily be removed without damaging the work surface. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 B, where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. This illustration shows the suction catheter system  10 B as it would be packaged before use, including the pouch  60 . The one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  62  of the anchoring flap  60   h  adheres to and seals off the elongated pouch  60 , as previously described, and keeps it sterile until use. The chevron shape of the sealing path  64  lends to both sealing of the anchoring flap  60   h  to the flap  60   c  to provide for a sterile pouch interior and for the providing of ready access for manual grasping of and the de-adhering of the anchoring flap  60   h  from flap  60   c  when access to the interior of the elongated pouch  60  is required. The regions between the anchoring flap  60   h  and flap  60   c  lying downwardly from the chevron-shaped sealing path  64  are free floating and unsecured so that the corners  60   i  and  60   j  of the anchoring flap  60   h  may be readily grasped and repositioned to break the seal along the sealing path  64  in order to allow rotational repositioning of the anchoring flap  60   h  about line  77 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 B prior to full utilization. Rotation of the anchoring flap  60   h  about line  77  reveals the locations of the alternatively-located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  66 , the backing strip  74  located on the now rearwardly-facing surface of the anchoring flap  60   h , and the high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strip  61  securing the flap  60   c  to the front panel  60   b . The rotation of the anchoring flap  60   h  also shows the location of the sealing path  64  to which the anchoring flap  60   h  previously and sealingly adhered, which is co-located with the alternatively-placed one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  66 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates the suction catheter system  10 B shown in FIG. 6, but not including the high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strip  61  which secured the flap  60   c  to the front panel  60   b . Flap  60   c  is not secured to the front surface of the front panel  60   b , but is merely folded along line  77  and positioned adjacent to the upper and outer region of the front panel  60   b  subsequent to disengagement of the flap  60   c  from the anchoring flap  60   h  to allow access between the front and rear panels  60   a  and  60   b.    
     FIG. 10, a third alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system  10 C, the present invention, in a position for use. The suction catheter system  10 C is comprised of a catheter  12 , having a catheter tip  14  and a catheter stem  16 , a transparent pouch  84  which holds irrigating solution (not illustrated), and other members as described herein. The transparent pouch  84  is fashioned of a rear panel  84   a  which includes an anchoring flap  84   h  of TYVEK® or other suitable material, and a front panel  84   b  of durable clear and transparent flexible plastic material of shorter vertical dimension than that of the rear panel  84   a . A flap  84   c , being continuous with the front panel  84   b , foldingly extends in close proximity back along the front panel  84   b  to form an upper edge or lip  84   d  at the top of the pouch  84 , the lower corners of which are attached or anchored to the front panel  84   b  by high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strips  86  and  88  or by a highly adhesive glue disposed therebetween. The area between the flap  84   c  and the front panel  84   b  forms a flexible compartment  90  utilized to manually deploy and outwardly expand the pouch  84  without contaminating the contents. The shorter front panel  84   b  is suitably secured in a durable fashion by a high pressure sensitive adhesive  100  or, alternatively, can be bonded to the rear panel  84   a , such as by ultrasonic welding, heat treatment, other types of adhesive or the like, thereby forming durable planar connected layered planar edges including a left planar edge  84   e , a bottom planar edge  84   f , and a right planar edge  84   g . Durably sealed planar edges protect the integrity of the pouch  84  should overstressing occur during opening of the pouch  84  or by inadvertent tension applied to the catheter  12  when the catheter stem  16  is secured to the pouch  84  by the double-sided adhesive strip  28 . The rear panel  84   a  is folded along a line  92  to form the anchoring flap  84   h , being part of the rear panel  84   a , which is utilized in anchoring the suction catheter system  10 C to a suitable work surface  32 . Also, included on the upwardly-facing surface of the anchoring flap  84   h  is a one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  which is clear and which is heated by a shaped contact or other suitable heater to melt and transfer the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  along a sealing path  98  on the forward surface of the flap  84   c  suitably shaped as a chevron or other suitable shape. Such transferred one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  has a filmy quality subsequent to transfer and is then readily visible on the flap  84   c . The suitably located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  is located on the outwardly-facing surface of the flap  84   c  and seals the pouch  84  along and about the anchoring flap  84   h . In the alternative, one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive, shown alternatively with reference numeral  96 , could be applied to the sealing path  98  just described in lieu of the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  which is adheringly transferred to the flap  84   c . Such adhesive arrangements offer a suitable arrangement for sealing of the pouch  84  by the anchoring flap  84   h . As yet another alternative, suitable adhesive could be utilized to include adhesive coverage on both the anchoring flap  84   h  and on the front of the flap  84   c  of the pouch  84  to provide for adhesion along the sealing path  98 . Also included in the invention are surgical gloves  34  in a sterile wrapping  39  which are removed during use of the invention. The suction catheter system  10 C includes one or more double-sided adhesive strips  102  on the upper backside of the anchoring flap  84   h  which secures the suction catheter system  10 C in an upright fashion to a work surface  32 . The work surface  32  is illustrated as an ordinary table, but the suction catheter system  10 C may be secured to a patient care table, a bed rail, the top side of a cabinet, an operating room table or any other suitable structure at any suitable location. One side of the adhesive strip  102  adheres to the rear surface of the anchoring flap  84   h  by high pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) and the rearward side of the adhesive strip  102  is coated with a medium pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) for releasable adhesion to the work surface  32 . A backing strip  104  is located on the rear of the adhesive strip  102 , as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. There is also provided a double-sided adhesive strip  28  on the catheter stem  16  which may be utilized to conveniently hold the catheter  12  in the pouch  84  when not in use. Alternatively, the catheter stem  16  can be secured to the backside of the front panel  84   b  at the region rearwardly adjacent to the flexible compartment  90  and/or at a location near the upper edge or lip  84   d . All of the strips of adhesive can be of a medical grade, non-latex and hypoallergenic material, if desired. Most hospitals and nursing homes have Formica work surfaces, and the double-sided appropriately adhesive materials can easily be removed without damaging the work surface. The uses of these adhesive strips will become more clear when described in the mode of operation. It is to be understood that the size of the adhesive strips  102  and  28 , as well as the pouch  84 , may vary due to the size of the catheter  12  needed, and that the size in no way changes the function or use of the suction catheter system  10 C. 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 C, where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. This illustration shows the suction catheter system  10 C as it would be packaged before use, including the pouch  84 , the catheter  12  contained interior to the pouch  84 , and an internally located and preferably packaged pair of sterile surgical gloves  34  surrounded by a sterile wrapping  39 . The one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  94  of the anchoring flap  84   h  adheres to and seals off the pouch  84 , as previously described, and keeps it sterile until use. The chevron shape of the sealing path  98  lends to both sealing of the anchoring flap  84   h  to the flap  84   c  to provide for a sterile pouch interior and for the providing of ready access for manual grasping of and the de-adhering of the anchoring flap  84   h  from flap  84   c  when access to the interior of the pouch  84  is required. The regions between the anchoring flap  84   h  and flap  84   c  lying downwardly from the chevron-shaped sealing path  98  are free floating and unsecured so that the corners  84   i  and  84   j  may be readily grasped and repositioned to break the seal along the sealing path  98  in order to allow rotational repositioning of the anchoring flap  84   h  about line  92 , as shown in FIG.  12 . The surgical gloves  34  need not be included in the pouch  84  or may be discarded if the practitioner prefers another style of surgical gloves  34 . 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 C prior to full utilization. Rotation of the anchoring flap  84   h  about line  92  reveals the locations of the alternatively-located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  96 , the backing strip  104  and double-sided adhesive strip  102  located on the now rearwardly-facing surface of the anchoring flap  84   h , and the high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strips  86  and  88  securing the flap  84   c  to the front panel  84   b . The rotation of the anchoring flap  84   h  also shows the location of the sealing path  98  to which the anchoring flap  84   h  previously and sealingly adhered, which is co-located with the alternatively-placed one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  96 . 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a view in cross section along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 10 illustrating the activation and opening of the pouch  84  for the receiving of fluid by the pouch  84 . The anchoring flap  84   h  adheres to the work surface  32  by utilizing the double-sided adhesive strip  102 . opening of the interior of the pouch  84  is initiated by inserting one or more fingers into the flexible compartment  90  and exerting pressure outwardly to initiate outward movement, as shown, along arrow  106 . Forces transmitted by the flap  84   c  are transmitted by the upper edge or lip  84   d  and by the high pressure sensitive double-sided adhesive strips  86  and  88  between the flap  84   c  and the front panel  84   b  to expand the front panel  84   b  in an outward direction, as indicated by arrow  108 , to open the pouch  84 . 
     MODE OF OPERATION 
     Instructional use of suction catheter system  10 C: 
     1. Open seal along sealing path  98  on pouch  84  to the fold line  92 . 
     2. Drop gloves  34  and sterile wrapping  39  out of pouch  84  onto working surface keeping the catheter  12  in the pouch  84 . 
     3. Attach the pouch  84  to horizontal work surface  32  with double-sided adhesive strip  102  provided on the back of the anchoring flap  84   h.    
     4. Fill the pouch  84  with irrigating solution, as desired, using the flexible compartment  90  to open pouch  84 . 
     5. Don gloves  34 . 
     6. Attach suction catheter  12  to suction tubing and suction patient. The hand holding suction tubing should only touch the vent part of the suction catheter stem  16  to keep the rest of the catheter  12  sterile. 
     7. Irrigate catheter  12 , as needed, with solution in the pouch  84 . 
     8. To replace catheter  12  in pouch  84 , form a circle with catheter  12  and place into pouch  84 . Pinch catheter stem  16  to inner front part of pouch  84  at upper edge or lip  84   d  to keep the catheter  12  in the pouch  84 . Keep the vent opening part of catheter  12  up to avoid the vent opening from touching the pouch  84 . 
     9. Now, both hands are free to use. Use the sterile paper wrap  39  which the gloves  34  come in to provide a barrier for the hand that holds the catheter  12 . Preferably, the paper is doubled up to provide extra strength keeping the sterile part of the paper to the practitioner&#39;s hands. Both hands can be used to open the tracheal irrigating container or to take ventilator tubing off the tracheal tube. 
     10. Upon completion of the procedure, the catheter  12 , gloves  34 , sterile wrapping  39 , and the pouch  84  may be disposed of in a suitable manner. 
     FIG. 14, a fourth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a suction catheter system  10 D represented by its most prominent feature, an elongated pouch  200  which, like the pouch  18 , is transparent, and which is constructed in accordance with many of the elements and structures described in FIGS. 1-5. The elongated pouch  200  could contain a suction tube but does not include a set of surgical gloves. FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 D as it would be packaged before use; and FIG. 16 illustrates a front view of the suction catheter system  10 D with a sealing panel  202  removed. The transparent elongated pouch  200  fashioned generally of durable, clear and transparent flexible plastic panels, includes a rear panel  200   a  which is continuous with an anchoring flap  200   h  of TYVEK® or other suitable material and a front panel  200   b  of durable, clear and transparent flexible plastic material of a shorter vertical dimension than that of the rear panel  200   a . The shorter front panel  200   b  is suitably secured and bonded to the rear panel  200   a , such as by ultrasonic welding, heat treatment, adhesive or the like, thereby forming planar connected layered planar edges including a left planar edge  200   c , a bottom planar edge  200   d , and a right planar edge  200   e . The shorter front panel  200   b  can include extra panel material to allow for outward expansion for carriage of a catheter and/or irrigating solution, if desired. Suitably located one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  204  is provided on the rear surface of a sealing panel  202  to enable sealing of the elongated pouch  200  by the sealing panel  202 . The one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  204  on the rear surface of the sealing panel  202  seals along a sealing path  206  extending along the top planar edge  200   g  of the rear panel  200   a , downwardly from the top planar edge  200   g  of the rear panel  200   a  along the left and right planar edges  200   h  and  200   i , respectively, of the rear panel  200   a  and beyond the upper edge or lip  200   f  of the front panel  200   b  continuing a short distance onto the left planar edge  200   c  and right planar edge  200   e , and horizontally across the front panel  200   b  between the left planar edge  200   c  and the right planar edge  200   e  in close proximity to the upper edge or lip  200   f  of the front panel  200   b . In the alternative, one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive, shown alternatively with reference numeral  208 , could be applied to the sealing path  206  in lieu of the one-time use medium pressure sensitive adhesive  204  on the rear surface of the sealing panel  202 . Such adhesive arrangements offer a suitable arrangement for sealing of the elongated pouch  200  by sealing panel  202 . In addition, instructions  210  are included on the front surface of the sealing panel  202 . The elongated pouch  200  includes one or more double-sided adhesive strips  212  and  214  on the backside of the rear panel  200   a  of the elongated pouch  200  which secures the elongated pouch  200  in an upright fashion to a wall, a bed rail, an IV pole, the side of a cabinet, an operating room table or any other suitable structure at any suitable location. The forward sides of the adhesive strips  212  and  214  adhere to the rearward side of the rear panel  200   a  by high pressure sensitive adhesive (not illustrated) and the rearward side of the adhesive strips  212  and  214  are coated with a medium pressure sensitive adhesive for adhesion to a suitable nearby structure. Backing strips  216  and  218  are located on the rear of the adhesive strips  212  and  214 , respectively. All of the strips of adhesive are of a medical grade, non-latex and hypoallergenic material. 
     FIG. 17, a fifth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock  110  including a truncated cylindrical body  112 . The view presented in FIG. 17 is inverted for purpose of illustration. The wall  114  of the truncated cylindrical body  112  is truncated along a chord of the truncated cylindrical body  112  represented by a planar surface  116 a extending across the truncated cylindrical body  112 , as well as along an edge of a disk-shaped panel  118  which is also truncated. The planar surface  116   a  is contiguous with and aligns with planar surfaces  116   b  and  116   c  of the truncated cylindrical body  112  which collectively comprise a substantially flat U-shaped flat planar surface  116 , thus imparting a reduced profile body such as truncated cylindrical body  112 . The planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  118  extends downwardly from the edge of the planar surface  116   a  and across one end of the wall  114 . Wall  114  is grooved to allow the practitioner to effectively grasp the flat-sided Luer lock  110 . A plurality of truncated threads  120   a - 120   n  are located on and extend inwardly from the inner curved surface  122  of the truncated cylindrical body  112 . Truncated threads  120   a - 120   n  are located and oriented to mate with a suitably oriented catheter  134  (FIG. 19) so that full and proper engagement of the catheter  134  with the flat-sided Luer lock  110  results in suitable orientation with the U-shaped flat planar surface  116  parallel to the epidermis  146 . Initial placement of the catheter  134  requires that the flange  144  (FIG. 19) be suitably oriented whereby the flat test region of the flange  144  is parallel to the epidermis  146 . A tapered cylinder  124  extends concentric to and along the centerline of the truncated cylindrical body  112  for subsequent frictional engagement to and with an intravenous catheter. Extending in opposition to the tapered cylinder  124  and from the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  118  is a cylindrical extension  126  the center of which accommodatingly serves as an attachment fixture for intravenous tubing  128 . Tapered cylinder  124  and cylindrical extension  126  include a common passage  132  (FIG. 18) which also extends through the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  118  for passage of medicinal fluids through the flat-sided Luer lock  110 . A space  130  is included between the inner curved surface  122  and the tapered cylinder  124  for accommodation of an intravenous catheter. Alternatively, the truncated cylindrical body  112  and the attributes thereof can be incorporated into use with a slip Luer lock (not illustrated). A slip Luer lock is a Luer lock that can slide back and forth about one-third of an inch toward the end of the intravenous tubing to engage an intravenous catheter. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates an end view of the flat-sided Luer lock  110 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the common passage  132  passing through the tapered cylinder  124 , the planar and truncated disk-shaped panel  118  and the cylindrical extension  126  (not shown). 
     FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock  110  and of an intravenous catheter  134  aligned prior to engagement with the flat-sided Luer lock  110 , where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. The intravenous catheter  134  includes a tapered body  136  having a tapered interior  138 , a slender cylinder  140  extending from the tapered body  136 , and a passage  142  in the cylinder  140  connected to the tapered interior  138 . A flange  144  is located at one end of the tapered body  136  for engagement with interior truncated threads  120   a - 120   n  of the truncated cylindrical body  112 . It is noted that the flange  144  does not extend beyond the lower extent of the planar surface  116 . 
     FIG. 20 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock  110  with a catheter  134 , where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. Due to the reduced profile of the flat-sided Luer lock  110 , impingement of the flat-sided Luer lock  110  with the epidermis  146  is eliminated or minimized, thus reducing or eliminating trauma, irritation and the like at the epidermis  146 . 
     FIG. 21, a sixth alternative embodiment, illustrates an isometric view of a flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  including a truncated cylindrical body  152 . The view presented in FIG. 21 is inverted for purpose of illustration. The wall  154  of the truncated cylindrical body  152  is truncated along a chord of the truncated cylindrical body  152  represented by a greater portion of the planar surface  156   a  extending across the truncated cylindrical body  152  and laterally beyond. The planar surface  156   a  also forms the top of a disk-shaped panel  158  which is also truncated. The disk-shaped and truncated panel  158  extends across one end of the truncated cylindrical body  152 . Planar surfaces  156   b  and  156   c  located on the truncated cylindrical body  152  are contiguous with and align to the planar surface  156   a . Aligned surfaces including planar surface  156   a , planar surface  156   b  and planar surface  156   c  collectively comprise a substantially flat U-shaped flat planar surface  156 , thus imparting a reduced profile body such as truncated cylindrical body  152 . It is also noted that the U-shaped flat planar surface  156  in FIG. 21 is angled or canted upwardly, as shown, from the distal portion of the U-shaped flat planar surface  156  to meet the level of raised thread  172 . Such an arrangement ensures that the profile of the raised thread  172  does not extend beyond the general profile of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 , thus preventing the raised thread  172  from depressed contact with the epidermis. The truncated disk-shaped panel  158  of a larger radius than the truncated cylindrical wall  154  extends across and along one end of the wall  154  to form a lip  162 . A plurality of truncated threads  164   a - 164   n  are located on and extend inwardly from the inner curved surface  166  of the truncated cylindrical body  152 . As with the truncated threads  120   a - 120   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock  110 , truncated threads  164   a - 164   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  are located and oriented to mate with a suitably oriented catheter, such as catheter  134  or catheter  180  (FIG. 23) so that full and proper engagement of the catheter  180  with the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  results in suitable orientation with the U-shaped flat planar surface  156  parallel to the epidermis  146 . Placement of the catheter  180  requires that flange  190  (FIG. 23) be suitably oriented where that flatest region of the flange  190  is parallel to the epidermis  140  and that the largest span of the flange  190  is parallel to the epidermis so that no part of the flange  190  extends below the U-shaped flat planar surface  156 . Proper orientation of the threads  120   a - 120   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock  110  and the threads  164   a - 164   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  is desirable in that either the flat-sided Luer lock  110  or the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  can be suitably oriented, interchanged and attached to catheter such as catheters  134  and  180 . The threads  120   a - 120   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock  110  and the threads  164   a - 164   n  of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  can be properly constructed and oriented during the manufacturing process to ensure proper orientation of flanges  144  and  190  so that when fully engaged, the widest portion of the flanges  144  and  190  are in close engagement with the threads and so that no profile of the flanges  144  and  190  extend below the flat surfaces  116  or  156 . A tapered cylinder  168  extends concentric to and along the centerline of the truncated body  152  for subsequent frictional engagement to and with an intravenous catheter. Extending in opposition to the tapered cylinder  168  and from the truncated disk-shaped panel  158  is a cylindrical extension  170  having a raised thread  172  located along the cylindrical extension  170  and a puncturable self-sealing membrane  174  fitted over and about the portion of the cylindrical extension  170  outboard of the raised thread  172  and covering the proximal end of the cylindrical extension  170 . The raised thread  172  can function as a stop for attached membrane puncturing members or can serve to attach an intravenous fitting which can align over and about the membrane  174  while at the same time puncturing the membrane  174 . Alternatively, an annular ring without a thread can be incorporated in lieu of the raised thread  172 . Tapered cylinder  168  and cylindrical extension  170  include a common passage  178  (FIG. 22) which also extends through the truncated disk-shaped panel  158  for passage of medicinal fluids through the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 . A space  176  is included between the inner curved surface  166  and the tapered cylinder  168  for accommodation of an intravenous catheter. Wall  154  is grooved to allow the practitioner to effectively grasp the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 . 
     FIG. 22 illustrates an end view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the common passage  178  passing through the tapered cylinder  168 , the truncated disk-shaped panel  158  and the cylindrical extension  170  (not shown). 
     FIG. 23 illustrates a side view of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  and of an intravenous catheter  180  aligned prior to engagement with the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 , where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. The intravenous catheter  180  includes a tapered body  182  having a tapered interior  184 , a slender cylinder  186  extending from the tapered body  182 , and a passage  188  in the cylinder  186  connected to the tapered interior  184 . A flange  190  is located at one end of the tapered body  182  for engagement with interior truncated threads  164   a - 164   n  of the truncated cylindrical body  152 . It is noted that the flange  190  does not extend beyond the lower extent of the planar surface  156 . 
     FIG. 24 illustrates the use of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  with a catheter  180 . Due to the reduced profile of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150 , impingement of the flat-sided Luer lock injection site connector  150  with the epidermis  146  is eliminated or minimized, thus reducing or eliminating trauma, irritation and the like at the epidermis  146 . 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10 
                 suction catheter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                  10A 
                 suction catheter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                  10B 
                 suction catheter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                  10C 
                 suction catheter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 catheter 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 catheter tip 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 catheter stem 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 pouch 
               
               
                   
                  18a 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                   
                  18b 
                 front panel 
               
               
                   
                  18c 
                 left planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18d 
                 bottom planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18e 
                 right planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18f 
                 upper edge or lip 
               
               
                   
                  18g 
                 top planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18h 
                 left planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18i 
                 right planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  18j 
                 anchoring 
               
               
                   
                   
                 flap 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 irrigating solution 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 pull tab 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 work surface 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 surgical gloves 
               
               
                   
                  35 
                 sealing panel 
               
               
                   
                  35a 
                 sealing panel 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 instructions 
               
               
                   
                  39 
                 sterile wrapping 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  47 
                 sealing path 
               
               
                   
                  48 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 pull tab 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 elongated pouch 
               
               
                   
                  60a 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                   
                  60b 
                 front panel 
               
               
                   
                  60c 
                 flap 
               
               
                   
                  60d 
                 upper edge or lip 
               
               
                   
                  60e 
                 left planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  60f 
                 bottom planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  60g 
                 right planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  60h 
                 anchoring flap 
               
               
                   
                  60i 
                 corner 
               
               
                   
                  60j 
                 corner 
               
               
                   
                  61 
                 high pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 high pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 sealing path 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                  76 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                  77 
                 line 
               
               
                   
                  84 
                 transparent pouch 
               
               
                   
                  84a 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                   
                  84b 
                 front panel 
               
               
                   
                  84c 
                 flap 
               
               
                   
                  84d 
                 upper edge or lip 
               
               
                   
                  84e 
                 left planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  84f 
                 bottom planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  84g 
                 right planar edge 
               
               
                   
                  84h 
                 anchoring flap 
               
               
                   
                  84i 
                 corner 
               
               
                   
                  84j 
                 corner 
               
               
                   
                  86 
                 high pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  88 
                 high pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 flexible compartment 
               
               
                   
                  92 
                 line 
               
               
                   
                  94 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  96 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                  98 
                 sealing path 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 high pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive adhesive 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 double-sided adhesive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strip 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 flat-sided Luer lock 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 truncated cylindrical 
               
               
                   
                   
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 wall 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 U-shaped flat planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
               
               
                   
                 116a-c 
                 planar surfaces 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 planar and truncated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 disk-shaped panel 
               
               
                   
                 120a-n 
                 truncated threads 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 inner curved surface 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 tapered cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 cylindrical extension 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 intravenous tube 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 space 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 common passage 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 catheter 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 tapered body 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 tapered interior 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 passage 
               
               
                   
                 144 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                 146 
                 epidermis 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 flat-sided Luer lock 
               
               
                   
                   
                 injection site 
               
               
                   
                   
                 connector 
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 truncated cylindrical 
               
               
                   
                   
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                 wall 
               
               
                   
                 156 
                 U-shaped flat planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
               
               
                   
                 156a-c 
                 planar surfaces 
               
               
                   
                 158 
                 truncated disk-shaped 
               
               
                   
                   
                 panel 
               
               
                   
                 162 
                 lip 
               
               
                   
                 164a-n 
                 truncated threads 
               
               
                   
                 166 
                 inner curved surface 
               
               
                   
                 168 
                 tapered cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 cylindrical extension 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 raised thread 
               
               
                   
                 174 
                 membrane 
               
               
                   
                 176 
                 space 
               
               
                   
                 178 
                 common passage 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 catheter 
               
               
                   
                 182 
                 tapered body 
               
               
                   
                 184 
                 tapered interior 
               
               
                   
                 186 
                 cylinder 
               
               
                   
                 188 
                 passage 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 elongated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pouch 
               
               
                   
                 200a 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                   
                 200b 
                 front panel 
               
               
                   
                 200c 
                 left planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 200d 
                 bottom planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 200e 
                 right planar 
               
               
                   
                   
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 200f 
                 upper edge or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 lip 
               
               
                   
                 200g 
                 top planar edge 
               
               
                   
                 200h 
                 anchoring flap 
               
               
                   
                 202 
                 sealing panel 
               
               
                   
                 204 
                 one-time use 
               
               
                   
                   
                 medium pressure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                 206 
                 sealing path 
               
               
                   
                 208 
                 one-time use medium 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pressure sensitive 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 instructions 
               
               
                   
                 212 
                 double-sided 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive strip 
               
               
                   
                 214 
                 double-sided 
               
               
                   
                   
                 adhesive strip 
               
               
                   
                 216 
                 backing strip 
               
               
                   
                 218 
                 backing strip