Components and methods for a catheter positioning system with a spreader and track

Abstract

Embodiments include a resealable delivery channel in a catheter positioning system configured to receive a catheter introduced by a spreader. The spreader may have shapes configured to help users insert the spreader and a catheter into the resealable delivery channel and to retain the spreader and the catheter within the resealable delivery channel The resealable delivery channel may be shaped to accommodate the spreader or catheter. The resealable delivery channel may include flexible plastic lips that are moveable to facilitate insertion of the spreader and a catheter into the resealable delivery channel

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resealable delivery channel configured to be coupled to a sled base of a catheter positioning system and to guide a catheter along a length of the sled base, the resealable delivery channel comprising:
 a channel portion comprising a delivery groove into which the catheter is capable of being inserted; and   flexible lips coupled to the channel portion and extending toward one another and parallel to the channel portion along opposed sides of the channel portion,   wherein the flexible lips are configured to form at least a partial seal around the catheter and a spreader through which the catheter is threaded.   
     
     
         2 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein an outer side of the flexible lips are configured to slant toward a bottom of the channel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible lips are attached to the channel portion by a rotatable joint. 
     
     
         4 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 3 , wherein the rotatable joint comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein the channel portion includes a hinge configured to enable the resealable delivery channel to be opened to receive the spreader. 
     
     
         6 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible lips are configured to form an entry hole to enable the spreader to be inserted into the channel portion. 
     
     
         7 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least the partial seal is movable with the one of the catheter and the spreader along the length of the sled base of the catheter positioning system. 
     
     
         8 . The resealable delivery channel of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible lips are configured to form a full seal around the one of: the catheter; and the spreader, wherein the full seal is movable with the one of the catheter and the spreader along the length of the sled base of the catheter positioning system.