Patent ID: 7108682

Claim:
A catheter shipping and storage system for protecting a distal portion of a catheter, comprising: a catheter system; and a protection device comprising: a detachable catheter tip holding portion to releasably hold a catheter tip; a protective portion operably connected to the catheter tip holding portion, wherein the protective portion at least partially encloses a distal portion of the catheter system that is proximal to and adjacent the catheter tip within the device such that the distal portion is protected during shipment and storage; and a detachable catheter shaft holding portion operably connected to the protective portion, wherein the catheter shaft holding portion releasably holds a portion of a catheter shaft that is proximal to and adjacent to the protected portion of the catheter system, and wherein the detachable catheter tip holding portion suspends the distal portion of the catheter within the protective portion, and wherein the catheter system is removed by detaching the catheter shaft holding portion from the catheter shaft and detaching the catheter tip from the catheter tip holding portion.