Patent ID: 7815045

Claim:
A protective package for a catheter, comprising: a protective sheath including a lumen sized to removably protect a catheter before use, the sheath having a length corresponding to a length of a catheter to be received therein and an inner diameter slightly greater than an outer diameter of a catheter to be received therein, a first end of the sheath being adapted to receive a distal end of a catheter to be received therein and a second end of the sheath being adapted to receive a proximal end of a catheter to be received therein; and a hydration port located between the first and second ends of the sheath so that a desired proportion of a flushing fluid may be introduced into the lumen near a middle of the sheath and so that a desired proportion of flow thereinto is directed toward the first and second ends of the sheath with a first flow stream extending from the hydration port to the distal end of the catheter and a second flow stream extending from the hydration port to the proximal end of the catheter, wherein the hydration port includes an adapter for connection with a source of the flushing fluid.