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

Abstract

Embodiments include a spreader in a catheter positioning system configured to introduce a catheter into a resealable delivery channel 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 spreader configured for introducing a catheter into a resealable delivery channel of a catheter positioning system, comprising:
 an attachment portion through which the catheter is inserted, the attachment portion configured to attach the spreader to a sled member of the catheter positioning system;   a main portion through which the catheter passes from the attachment portion, the main portion configured to pass the catheter between flexible lips of the resealable delivery channel; and   a shaped tip portion through which the catheter passes from the main portion and the attachment portion and from which the catheter exits, wherein the flexible lips are configured to enable the shaped tip portion to be inserted into the resealable delivery channel by pressing the shaped tip portion between the flexible lips from above and into the resealable delivery channel, wherein the shaped tip portion is wider than the main portion such that, while the flexible lips engage opposed sides of the main portion, engagement of an underside of the flexible lips with a proximal portion of the shaped tip resists an inadvertent removal of the shaped tip portion from the resealable delivery channel   
     
     
         2 . The spreader of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the main portion and the shaped tip portion are connected by a curved portion such that a first longitudinal axis of the main portion and a second longitudinal axis of the shaped tip portion are oriented at an angle to one another; and   the main portion is rotatably coupled to the attachment portion such that when the attachment portion rotates about the first longitudinal axis caused by rotation of the sled member, the shaped tip portion remains aligned along the second longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         3 . The spreader of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped tip portion is configured with a bulb shape. 
     
     
         4 . The spreader of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped tip portion comprises flanges.