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Catheter tray

Catheters are widely used in hospitals to intravenously provide fluids such as blood, plasma, medication, etc. Many type of catheters have been developed for treating problems and diseases of the body including the vascular, urinary, respiratory, esophageal, gastrointestinal systems and the like, as such body systems include one or more body lumens by which treatment can be facilitated. Such catheters advantageously provide treatment within or beyond any body lumen by generally non-invasive techniques by permitting manipulation of distal features of such catheters at their proximal ends. Several types of catheters are utilized for intravascular treatment. Examples of intravascular catheters include guide catheters, angioplasty catheters, stent delivery devices, angiographic catheters, and neuro catheters. A catheter typically allows a number of intravenous (IV) tubes to be interchangeably connected, and is often left in a patient's arm even when not used, so that additional punctures need not be made for subsequent IV tubes or applications. When a catheter is inserted into a patient for the intravenous delivery of a fluid, a disposable needle passing through the catheter is utilized to puncture a vein to permit entry of the catheter. The needle is then withdrawn, leaving the catheter in place for connection to an IV bag or bottle, or to be capped for later use. A widely used form of catheter package includes an elongate catheter tray which supports the entire length of the catheter in an immobilized condition, and includes an insert which is slidable relative to the tray. The insert has a recess formed to enclose and protect the curved catheter tip.

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