Patent ID: 7678083

Claim:
A clip for a catheter having a portion having a pre-defined curve with noncurved portions proximate thereto intermediate and spaced from distal and proximal catheter ends, the pre-curved portion defining a plane, comprising: a first generally straight body portion having a first generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a first longitudinal axis extending therethrough; a second generally straight body portion having a second generally U-shaped cross section defining a catheter-receiving channel, and a second longitudinal axis extending therethrough, wherein the second longitudinal axis is generally parallel to and offset from the first longitudinal axis; a connecting portion connecting the first generally straight body portion and the second generally straight body portion; the first and second straight body portions and connecting portions being sized, shaped and relatively positioned to correspond with and to complement the pre-curved catheter portion when the noncurved catheter portion end portions are inserted into the catheter-receiving channels of the first and second generally straight body portions; and first and second catheter retention sections defined respectively on the first and second generally straight body portions, are spaced apart from and not continuous with each other and having respective lengths that when added together total less than the longitudinal length of the catheter-receiving channel, each catheter retention section including a narrow entrance portion dimensioned less than a width of the channel, the entrance portions facing in a common direction away from bottoms of the channels to fasten directly onto or about the catheter at respective ones of the noncurved catheter portions in such a manner requiring the catheter to be forced thereinto from laterally thereof, and thereafter assuredly securing the body portion of the clip to the catheter, whereby the clip is fastenable to the catheter from laterally of the plane defined by the pre-curved portion of the catheter, at the catheter's pre-curved portion and thereafter maintains the pre-curved shape of the pre-curved catheter portion during shipping and handling.