Wilson-cook Medical Incorporated

Eugene C Morris

Mark C Martel

A package 10 for maintaining the predetermined desired non-planar, three-dimensional shape of the distal tip 14 of a flexible catheter, cannula, sphincterotome or the like 12 includes a non-relaxing mounting tray 18 with a non-planar, three-dimensional structure 20 restricting movement of the distal tip 14, and a non-relaxing cover 26 detachably secured to the tray 18, trapping part and only part of the distal tip 14 against the three-dimensional structure 20 of the tray 18. The package 10 also includes a particularly configured non-relaxing insert 38 removably received in a bore 16 in the distal tip 14. The tray 18, cover 26 and insert 38 together support the distal tip 14 throughout its entire length. The structure 20 of the tray 18 includes a ramped, relatively tightly arced groove 24 on which the distal tip 14 lies. The cover 26 lies over at least the ramped, arced groove 24 and includes a pair of notches 30 receiving the distal tip 14 therethrough. When the cover 26 is detached from the tray 18, at least the distal tip 14 can be freely perpendicularly withdrawn from the tray 18. The package is particularly useful for maintaining the distal tip 14 in a shape particularly adapted for the performance of a sphincterotomy. The package 12 prevents the relaxation or change of the predetermined desired non-planar, three-dimensional shape of the distal tip 14 of the catheter, cannula, sphincterotome or the like 12 during sterilization and storage. The insert 38 and the combination of the tray 18 and the cover 26 are separately useful for this purpose.

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Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Eugene C Morris