Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to a pre-formed retention member having an improved construction and used for anchoring or retaining a catheter within a body cavity, organ or vessel. The pre-formed retention retains a distal open end of a single body access tube against an inner body cavity wall of a patient. The pre-formed member is secured to only the inner and outer peripheral edges of the distal open end of the tube by a sleeve. The sleeve has both an outer sleeve surface and an inner sleeve surface which receives, respectively, the outer and inner surfaces of the tube. The pre-formed member includes an outer surface and an inner surface which defines a retention chamber. The retention chamber extends beyond the distal open end of the tube so that no portion of the tube passes through the chamber. When outside forces act upon the pre-formed member, the pre-formed member collapses upon itself, and in a collapsed configuration, the outer diameter of the pre-formed member is no greater than the outer diameter of the tube.

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First Claim