Patent ID: 8734426

Claim:
A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising: (a) a connector disposed at a proximal end of the catheter, the connector having an exterior surface profile and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough; (b) a locking arm having an interior surface profile that corresponds with the exterior surface profile of the connector, the locking arm being pivotably attached to the connector to enable pivoting movement of the locking arm about an axis of rotation, to and between an unlocked position and a locked position whereby when the locking arm is in the locked position, the tension member is secured between the interior surface of the locking arm and the exterior surface of the connector; and (c) a locking mechanism for preventing the locking arm from inadvertently disengaging from the locked position, wherein a longitudinal axis of the locking arm is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the connector when the locking assembly is in the locked position.