| abstract |
A package for a catheter includes a main housing compartment for housing a distal section of an intravascular catheter. The main housing compartment has an opening allowing removal of the catheter therethrough and includes a first section for housing a distal end portion of the catheter which has at least one port. The first section further includes an absorbent member for absorbing a fluid flowing out through the catheter at least one port. The main housing compartment also includes a second section for housing the catheter central section and a sheath that is mounted thereon. The second section is located at a higher elevation than the first section to ensure that all of the fluid used to flush the catheter remains in the first section. A cover layer seals the main housing compartment from micro-organisms and particles in the surrounding environment but is removable to expose the catheter. A catheter proximal end holding section holds the proximal end of the catheter. An enclosing structure encloses both the main housing compartment and the catheter proximal end holding section to seal the catheter from micro-organisms and particles in the surrounding environment. |