Patent Description:
<CIT> describes an intravenous line separator system comprising a cover plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end, a plurality of U-shaped grooves formed within the cover plate, a hinge pin positioned within the first end of the cover plate, a C-shaped locking element integral with the second end of the cover plate; and a base plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end, a plurality of U-shaped grooves, the U-shaped grooves of the base plate corresponding in number and position to the U-shaped grooves of the cover plate, a hinge pin receiving means positioned at the first end of the base plate, the hinge pin of the cover plate adapted to be received within the hinge pin receiving means, the hinge pin and the hinge pin receiving means together serving to pivotally interconnect the base plate and the cover plate, a tongue locking element integral with the second end of the base plate, the C-shaped locking element adapted to receive the tongue locking element and secure the cover plate to the base plate.

<CIT> describes a line organizer, comprising an elongate lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes at least two lower aperture portions formed in the lower portion; a base member associated with the lower portion; an elongate upper portion, wherein the upper portion includes at least two upper aperture portions formed in the upper portion, wherein each upper aperture portion corresponds to a lower aperture portion, and wherein the upper portion is coupled to the lower portion via a hinge means, such that the upper portion and the lower portion are pivotable relative to one another and are pivotable between a closed position and an open position; and a locking means associated with the upper portion and the lower portion, wherein the locking means is capable of maintaining the upper and lower portions in the closed position.

<CIT> describes a fixture for fixing a tubular catheter to a skin of a patient. The catheter fixture is provided with a plate shaped fixture main body, a fixing member that is configured separately from the fixture main body, and a pivot connecting shaft. The plate shaped fixture main body includes a retention part where a catheter retaining groove is formed, and a pair of winged pieces. The pivot connecting shaft both connects the fixture main body and the fixing member and acts as the pivot axis of the fixing member. The fixing member has a pivoting action along a horizontal plane direction of the fixture main body centrally around the pivot connecting shaft. When doing so, the catheter retaining groove is covered by the fixing member thereby fixing the catheter.

<CIT> describes an anchoring system for an elongated medical article comprises an anchor pad and a retainer mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer includes a base, a cover, and a compressible member including a receptacle into which the medical article to be retained is placed. When the cover is closed, the medical article is secured within the receptacle by the pressure of the compressible member and the cover upon the medical article. One or more biasing members act upon the compressible member to increase the frictional forces acting on the retained section of the medical article. The receptacle may form a channel that follows a curved path through the retainer. The retainer may also include guide extensions to support the medical article along a transverse bend toward the skin of the patient.

<CIT> describes a medical device for securing tubing such as intravenous catheter tubing to a patient. The device is made up of two lobes , each being made up of a channel and a tab. The device is hinged so that the tabs can be brought together. When the tabs are brought together, the tubing is gripped between the gripping channels (<NUM>,<NUM>). The gripping channels have specially adapted surfaces to facilitate the gripping of the tubing. The gripping channels may also be lined with a tacky material or contoured liners.

<CIT> describes a fixing clip for a catheter to rigidly fix various catheters for a long time without giving a stimulus to the skin of a patient. The fixing clip comprises: a floor fixed to a fixing pad; first and second sidewalls formed in both sides of the floor; front and rear opening parts which open the front and rear; a receiving unit which is projected from the top in the front of the floor and consists of a compartment post dividing the front opening part; first and second doors which open the upper part of the receiving unit, are connected to the upper end of the first and second sidewalls by a hinge unit, and are coupled with each other by a connecting unit. Further devices are disclosed in.

<CIT> and <CIT> both having a vertical lift-off holding system.

The present invention is set out in the appended claims,.

Many therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are performed using catheters and/or guidewires to access target areas of the body using minimally invasive techniques. For example, blockages in the heart are treated using angioplasty catheters or stent delivery catheters thereby avoiding open heart surgery. Guidewires are often used to facilitate advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic catheter to the target area, and often multiple catheters and guidewires may be used during the procedure. A physician must keep track of each guidewire and catheter to ensure that they are not mixed up, and the multiple catheter shafts or guidewires must be prevented from entangling with one another so that manipulation and control of the catheters and guidewires is still possible. At least some of the examples of catheter and guidewire management devices disclosed herein will address at least some of these challenges.

<FIG> illustrate one example of a catheter management device.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a bottom plate <NUM> that may be used in a catheter or guidewire management device. The bottom plate may be a flat planar plate of any shape. Here the plate has two linear lateral sides <NUM> and an arcuate distal edge <NUM> and a linear proximal edge <NUM>. The linear proximal edge <NUM> may be facing the operator and the arcuate distal edge <NUM> may be facing the patient, or the opposite orientation may be used where the linear proximal edge faces toward the patient and the arcuate edge faces toward the operator. Any number of grooves <NUM> may be disposed in the upper surface of the bottom plate. Here, two arcuate grooves are included such that at one end of the plate, the grooves are adjacent one another and substantially parallel with one another, and at the opposite end of the plate, the grooves diverge away from one another. An arcuate groove <NUM> may provide a smooth curve that a catheter shaft or guidewire may navigate as it is being slidably advanced through the groove. One or more pins 110a, here three, extend up from the top surface of the bottom plate and serve as alignment pins when the bottom plate is aligned with holes in a top plate as will be discussed below. Although this is not intended to be limiting, and the pins may be disposed on the top plate and the holes on the bottom plate, or a combination of pins and holes maybe on both plates. Additionally, on either lateral side, a wall <NUM> extends vertically away from the top surface of the plate. The walls serve as alignment elements to help align a top plate with the bottom plate <NUM> when the two plates are coupled together.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a top plate <NUM> which may be used with the bottom plate <NUM> in <FIG> to form a catheter or guidewire management device. Here, the top plate <NUM> is also a flat planar plate and has a shape that matches the bottom plate <NUM> shape such that when the two plates are stacked on top of one another, they form a uniform profile. However, this is not intended to be limiting, and any shape may be used. Optionally in any example, the shape may be compact enough to easily fit in an operator's hand for easy carrying and manipulation, or the device may rest on a surface. In this example, the top plate <NUM> includes alignment holes <NUM> which extend through the top plate and they are positioned to align with and cooperate with the alignment pins 110a in the bottom plate <NUM>. Additionally, the grooves <NUM>, here two, in the top plate also cooperate with the grooves <NUM> in the bottom plate <NUM> such that when opposite grooves are stacked on top of one another, they form one or more channels, here there are two channels. Each groove may be roughly half the diameter of a catheter shaft or a guidewire, although this is not intended to be limiting. In some examples the grooves may be less than half the diameter of the catheter shaft or guidewire and therefore when the two plates are coupled together they will capture the guidewire or catheter shaft in the resulting channel and due to the tight fit, this prevents axial movement of the catheter shaft or guidewire along the shaft. In other examples the groove may be larger than half the diameter of the guidewire or catheter shaft to allow slidable movement when the two plates are coupled together. In this example, the grooves are arcuate to match the grooves in the bottom plate, and similarly the grooves are adjacent one another at one end of the plate and substantially parallel with one another, and they diverge away from one another at the opposite end. The channel is sized to receive a guidewire or catheter shaft and hold it to prevent entanglement while still allowing an operator to slidably move or rotate the wire or shaft while in the management device, or when the plates in the management device are separated from one another.

The size and shape of the top <NUM> and bottom <NUM> plates may be any size or shape. Optionally in any example, the top and bottom plates may be sized and shaped to easily fit in an operator's hand for easy holding and manipulation. The top and bottom plates may be rigid, soft, flexible, resilient or have any desired combination of material properties. The top plate, bottom plate, or grooves may include a lining of material such as Teflon to provide a low friction surface against which the catheter or guidewire may easily slide and be rotated. Oil or other lubricants may also be coated onto the top plate, bottom plate, or grooves to facilitate sliding or rotation of the guidewire or catheter in the groove.

<FIG> shows the top plate <NUM> stacked on top of the bottom plate <NUM> so the two plates sit flush against one another. The alignment pins 110a of the bottom plate are received in the alignment apertures <NUM> of the top plate. The top plate may be lifted off of the bottom plate at any time to allow access to the guidewires or catheter shafts that may be disposed in the channel <NUM> formed where opposite grooves <NUM>, <NUM> mate. Sidewall <NUM> helps align the top plate with the bottom plate and also may prevent unwanted lateral movement of the top plate relative to the bottom plane.

<FIG> shows an example of a catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> having a top plate <NUM> coupled to a bottom plate <NUM>. The top and bottom plates <NUM>, <NUM> are similar to those described previously in <FIG> above in that the bottom plate includes pins <NUM> for alignment with apertures <NUM> in the top plate. Additionally, the top and bottom plates <NUM>, <NUM> also includes grooves <NUM>, <NUM> that cooperate with one another to form channels <NUM> that receives a catheter shaft or guidewire. In this example, the top plate <NUM> includes a hinge or a hinge <NUM> formed as a result of the top plate being made of a flexible and resilient material in a middle section of the top plate between opposite lateral sides <NUM> of the top plate <NUM>. Examples may include silicone, polyurethane, etc. The hinge <NUM> allows either or both lateral sides <NUM> to be flexed and rotated up and away from the bottom plate <NUM> to expose the channel <NUM> formed by the mating grooves <NUM>, <NUM> and this allows easy loading, unloading or other manipulation of a guidewire or catheter shaft in the channel <NUM>. One lateral side <NUM> may be lifted while the other lateral side remains engaged with the lower plate, or both may be lifted concurrently or sequentially. Other aspects of the device <NUM> are generally the same as described with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate another example of a catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> that is hinged. In <FIG> the top plate <NUM> is stacked on top of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the top and bottom plates <NUM>, <NUM> may include any of the features of the plates described previously (e.g. grooves, alignment pins, alignment holes, alignment walls, etc.). Here, the top plate <NUM> is a flat planar plate with a groove <NUM> disposed on an inner surface of the plate. The bottom plate <NUM> is also a flat planar plate with a cooperating groove <NUM> on an inner surface of the plate. When the upper and lower plates <NUM>, <NUM> are apposed with one another, the two grooves <NUM>, <NUM> cooperate with one another to form a channel <NUM> that is sized to receive a catheter or guidewire. The size of the channel <NUM> be may be slightly oversized relative to the catheter or guidewire in order to allow slidable movement of the catheter or guidewire in the channel, or the size may be small enough to pinch the catheter or guidewire and prevent axial movement. A hinge <NUM> is disposed on a lateral side of the device coupled to the top and bottom plates <NUM>, <NUM>. The hinge may be any type of hinge and allows the two plates to pivot relative to one another.

<FIG> shows the device <NUM> partially opened where the hinged ends of the top and bottom plates remain adjacent one another while the opposite ends of the plates rotate away from one another to allow access to a catheter or guidewire when disposed in the channel <NUM> formed by the opposing grooves <NUM>, <NUM>. Here, a single channel <NUM> is illustrated however this is not intended to be limiting and multiple grooves may be included to form multiple channels. Also, as discussed, any of the other features in <FIG> may be used in conjunction with or substituted for any of the features in <FIG>, for example the alignment pins and holes that receive the pins may also be included in device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate another example of a catheter or guidewire management device that is hinged.

<FIG> shows the bottom plate <NUM> with two grooves <NUM>, alignment features <NUM> such as pins, or apertures for receiving pins, and hinge element <NUM> in a central portion of the bottom plate. One end <NUM> of the bottom plate may be curved while the opposite end <NUM> may be straight. The left and right lateral sides <NUM> may be straight edges. The grooves <NUM> may be linear and substantially parallel on one end of the bottom plate and the grooves <NUM> may diverge away from one another in an arcuate path on the opposite end of the plate. The hinge in this example <NUM> is a tube that can interdigitate with tubes on the upper plate and then a pin may be inserted through the channel in the tubes to form the hinge which allows independent opening of one half of the upper plate relative to the other half of the upper plate.

<FIG> shows the cooperating top plate <NUM> that mates with the bottom plate <NUM> and that also has a hinge elements <NUM>, <NUM> along a midline of the upper plate <NUM> which in this case is two separate plates that are independently movable relative to one another when coupled with hinge <NUM> on the bottom plate. The upper plate may have a shape that mirrors that of the lower plate and may also include apertures for receiving alignment pins in the lower plate, or the upper plate may have pins that are received in apertures in the lower plate. Also, the upper plate may have grooves which cooperate with the grooves in the lower plate to form channels for receiving a guidewire or catheter. The alignment pins or holes and grooves are not illustrated for convenience. The hinge <NUM>, <NUM> are tubular members axially separated from one another so that the hinge <NUM> from the lower plate may be disposed in the gap between the two upper tubular members and when aligned, a pin may be inserted into the central channel of all the tubes thereby forming the hinge similar to a traditional door hinge. Because the upper plate is split into two halves, each half is therefore configured to be rotated up and down relative to the other half of the top plate independently from one another.

<FIG> shows the upper plate <NUM> in <FIG> but with the two halves separated from one another. Also, <FIG> shows the two grooves in the top plate that cooperate with the two grooves in the lower plate of <FIG> to form the channels for the catheter or guidewire. Here upper plate <NUM> includes a left and right lateral side, each with a tubular hinge element <NUM>, <NUM>, and that either left, or right or both lateral sides may then be rotated up and toward the midline of the top plate to expose the grooves/channels in the device along with any guidewires or catheters which may be disposed in the channels. Either side may be opened first while the other side remains closed, or both may be opened, or both may be opened concurrently.

In any example of a guidewire or catheter management device, it may be desirable to provide a bracket or other element to facilitate holding or manipulation of the management device by an operator.

<FIG> shows a catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> with a top plate <NUM> and a bottom plate <NUM> which may be any of the examples disclosed herein, and they may be hingedly coupled together using any of the hinges disclosed herein. The device <NUM> also includes an annular ring <NUM> on the bottom plate. Other aspects of the device <NUM> are similar to other examples previously described above. For example, both upper and lower plates <NUM>, <NUM> include grooves <NUM>, <NUM> that when opposed form channels <NUM> for holding a catheter or guidewire. Additionally, the top plate and bottom plate may have alignment pins or holes for receiving the pins to ensure alignment of the top and bottom plates. The annular ring <NUM> is coupled to the bottom surface of the bottom plate. The ring is sized so that an operator can insert a finger into the annular ring <NUM> and this helps hold the management device or allows the management device to be easily manipulated. For example, the management device may be rotatable relative to the ring holder thus the operator can still maintain a grasp on the device while rotating the two plates.

<FIG> shows another example of a guidewire or catheter management device 700a that is essentially the same as the example in <FIG> but with the major difference being that instead of the annular ring <NUM>, this device 700a includes an expandable and collapsible holding element <NUM>. The holding element <NUM> is an accordion type element that is coupled to the bottom surface of the bottom plate <NUM>. In use the accordion may be extended and when not in use, the accordion may be collapsed onto a smaller configuration. The accordion section may be disposed between two fingers in the operator's hand to allow the operator to hold or otherwise manipulate the management device 700a. A larger diameter flanged region <NUM> provides a stop element and prevents the fingers from sliding past the flanged region. Other aspects of the device 700a are generally the same as previously described in <FIG>. For example, the top and bottom plates <NUM>, <NUM> may both include grooves <NUM>, <NUM> that when apposed with one another form channels <NUM> for holding a catheter or guidewire. The pins <NUM> and holes for receiving the pins <NUM> may be disposed on either the top or bottom plates, and any hinge may be used to couple the two plates together, or no hinge may be used at all.

In any example a bracket or other fixture (not illustrated) may be coupled to the bottom or top plate to allow the management device to be coupled, clipped, or otherwise attached to a surface such as a procedure table.

In any example, the top and/or bottom plates may include color coding, labeling, icons, or other indicia to allow an operator to easily identify which catheter or guidewire is disposed in which groove.

<FIG> show an example of another catheter or guidewire management device <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the management device <NUM> having a lower plate <NUM> and an upper plate that is formed from two separate upper plate portions 804a, 804b that pivot independently of one another. The upper plate portions 804a, 804b are pivotably coupled to the lower plate <NUM> via hinges <NUM>. The lower plate includes two grooves <NUM> that are sized to hold a guidewire or catheter. The grooves <NUM> on one end of the lower plate are substantially parallel <NUM> to one another, while on the opposite end the groves flare <NUM> away from one another. The flared end may face the operator and the parallel grooved end may face the patient, or the opposite orientation may be used where the flared end may face the patient and the parallel grooved end may face the operator. Here, there are two grooves in the bottom plate, and they may be any size but may be greater than <NUM> degrees of the circumference of the catheter or guidewire but less than <NUM> degrees. Thus, when a catheter or guidewire is disposed in the groove <NUM>, a portion is raised above the upper surface lower plate. When the upper plate is closed against the lower plate, the upper and lower plates sandwich the catheter or guidewire holding the catheter or guidewire in position and preventing axial movement. Here, the grooves <NUM> that are substantially parallel to one another may be distal of the operator and closest to the patient so that the catheters or guidewires enter the patient in substantially parallel direction. The flared grooves <NUM> may be closest to the operator and prevent entanglement and allow easy separation and identification of the proximal ends of the catheters or guidewires. The lower plate <NUM> includes alignment holes <NUM> which are sized to receive the pins <NUM> protruding out of the lower surface of the top plate 804a, 804b. The position of the pins and alignment holes may also be reversed or used in any permutation or combination.

The upper plates 804a, 804b are substantially flat and planar plates with two arms <NUM> that extend from opposite sides of the upper plates 804a, 804b on one end of the upper plates 804a, 804b. These arms <NUM> receive a pin that protrudes from the sides of the lower plate allowing the upper plates 804a, 804b to pivot open and closed. When closing, the upper plates pivot inward toward the midline of the lower plate and toward one another, and when opening the upper plates pivot outward away from one another and away from the midline. Both upper plates 804a, 804b are open in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the device <NUM> seen in <FIG>, but this time with the right upper plate 804b open, and the left upper plate 804a closed thereby obstructing view of the one of the grooves in the lower plate while the other is exposed. Other aspects of <FIG> are generally the same as disclosed with respect to <FIG>. <FIG> also shows that any marking or indicia N may be applied to any portion of the device <NUM> in order to help an operator identify catheters or guidewires disposed in the grooves.

<FIG> shows a side view of the catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> with both upper plates closed against the lower plate. The view shows the grooves exiting the end of the device in a generally parallel direction relative to one another. Both upper plate portions 804a, 804b are closed and abut with the lower plate <NUM>. Other aspects of <FIG> are substantially the same as in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the same device <NUM> as in <FIG> but is a side view of the device from the end opposite the end seen in <FIG>. Thus, in this view the grooves <NUM> exit the device and flare away from one another. Other aspects of the device <NUM> in <FIG> are generally the same as in <FIG> above.

<FIG> shows an exploded view of the catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> shown in <FIG> above.

<FIG> shows an end view of the catheter or guidewire management device <NUM> from a lateral end of the device and shows the upper plate 804b closed and disposed against the lower plate <NUM>. Other aspects of <FIG> are substantially the same as shown in Figs. <NUM> above.

Claim 1:
A guidewire or catheter shaft management device, the device comprising:
an upper plate (<NUM>); and
a lower plate (<NUM>) having at least one lower groove (<NUM>) disposed therein, the at least one lower groove (<NUM>) in the lower plate sized to receive the guidewire or catheter,
wherein the upper plate (<NUM>) is releasably coupled to the lower plate (<NUM>) and wherein the guidewire or catheter is captured between the upper plate and the lower plate,
wherein the upper plate (<NUM>) further comprises at least one upper groove (<NUM>) disposed therein, the at least one upper groove sized to receive the guidewire or catheter shaft,
wherein the at least one lower groove (<NUM>) in the lower plate cooperates with the at least one upper groove (<NUM>) in the upper plate to form a channel (<NUM>) configured to hold the guidewire or catheter shaft,
wherein the upper plate (<NUM>) and the lower plate (<NUM>) are configured such that the upper plate (<NUM>) may be lifted off of the lower plate (<NUM>) to allow access to a guidewire or catheter shaft received in a said channel (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one lower groove (<NUM>) comprises a first lower groove and a second lower groove disposed in the lower plate, wherein the first and second lower grooves (<NUM>) extend from a first edge of the lower plate (<NUM>) to a second edge of the lower plate opposite the first edge, and wherein adjacent the first edge the first and second lower grooves are substantially parallel with one another, and wherein adjacent the second edge the first and second lower grooves flare away from one another.