Holding devices for elongated instruments

Abstract

A holding device for elongated instruments can include a channel for receiving therein an intermediate portion of an elongated instrument. The holding device can include a lock that includes a seat against which the elongated instrument can rest and a resiliently deformable retention arm that is movable relative to the seat. The lock, when in the securing state, can retain within the channel the intermediate portion of the elongated instrument to prevent the intermediate portion from one or more of translating or rotating relative to the device.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A device comprising:
 a channel configured to receive therein an elongated instrument; and   a lock comprising a seat against which the elongated instrument can rest and a resiliently deformable retention arm that is movable relative to the seat, wherein at least a portion of the channel is defined by the seat and the retention arm, and wherein the lock is configured to be selectively transitioned between an open state and a securing state, the retention arm being closer to the seat when the lock is in the securing state, as compared with the open state, wherein the lock further comprises a locking arm that is coupled to the seat via a first hinge, and wherein the retention arm is coupled to the locking arm via a second hinge;   wherein the lock, when in the securing state, is configured to retain within the channel the intermediate portion of the elongated instrument to prevent the intermediate portion from one or more of translating or rotating relative to the device.   
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the channel is configured to receive therein an elongated instrument that has a maximum cross-sectional area within a range of different sizes, with a maximum diameter of the cross-sectional area being within a range of from about 0.5 millimeters to about 12 millimeters. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the retention arm is configured to contact the seat and be loaded thereby when the channel is empty and the lock is in the securing state. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein a distal end of the retention arm is moved toward the seat as the lock is transitioned to the securing state, and wherein the distal end of the retention arm is moved away from the seat as the lock is transitioned to the open state. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the lock further comprises a latch that is configured to be selectively coupled with the locking arm, wherein the lock is in the open state when the latch is not coupled with the locking arm, and wherein the lock is in the securing state when the latch is coupled with the locking arm. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the locking arm is configured to directly interact with the latch as the lock is transitioned between the open and the securing states. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the latch is coupled to the seat via a third hinge. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the intermediate portion of the elongated instrument can be inserted into the device without passing a proximal end or a distal end of the elongated instrument through any portion of the device. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 24 , further comprising a fastener that is configured to secure the device to a separate object. 
     
     
         33 . A device comprising:
 a channel configured to receive therein an elongated instrument with a lumen; and   a lock comprising a seat against which the elongated instrument can rest and a resiliently deformable retention arm that is movable relative to the seat, wherein at least a portion of the channel is defined by the seat and the retention arm, and wherein the lock is configured to be selectively transitioned between an open state and a securing state, the retention arm being closer to the seat when the lock is in the securing state, as compared with the open state, wherein the lock further comprises a locking arm that is coupled to the seat via a first hinge, and wherein the retention arm is coupled to the locking arm via a second hinge;   wherein the lock, when in the securing state and the elongated instrument is positioned in the channel, is configured to prevent fluid flow from a first end of the lumen to a second end of the lumen.   
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein fluid flow between the first end of the lumen and the second end of the lumen is permitted when the fluid pressure is elevated above a threshold value. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the fluid flow is prevented when the fluid pressure decreases to a level lower than the threshold value. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the retention arm is configured to contact the seat and be loaded thereby when the channel is empty and the lock is in the securing state. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the lock further comprises a latch that is configured to be selectively coupled with the locking arm, wherein the lock is in the open state when the latch is not coupled with the locking arm, and wherein the lock is in the closed state when the latch is coupled with the locking arm. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the locking arm is configured to directly interact with the latch as the lock is transitioned between the open and the securing states. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 37 , wherein the latch is coupled to the seat via a third hinge. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a fastener that is configured to secure the device to a separate object. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the device is configured to prevent longitudinal movement of the elongated instrument relative to an insertion site of a patient at which the elongated instrument enters the patient when the lock is in the securing state and when the device is fixed relative to one or more of (a) the patient or (b) an object that is stationary relative to the patient while the patient is immobile. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the device is configured to prevent rotational movement of the elongated instrument relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated instrument when the lock is in the securing state and when the device is fixed relative to one or more of (a) a patient or (b) an object that is stationary relative to the patient while the patient is immobile. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the intermediate portion of the elongated instrument can be inserted into the device without passing a proximal end or a distal end of the elongated instrument through any portion of the device.