Guide wire restraint device

Abstract

A device for restraining a guide wire includes a base having a recessed formation configured to receive a portion of the guide wire, and a flexible lid configured to fit on the base. The lid has a main sheet portion covering the portion of the guide wire and a plurality of fingers separated by gaps and extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the main sheet portion to surround the base. Sandwiched between the lid and base, the guide wire extends through gaps between the finger members. Constructed of sheet material, the lid is flexibly movable between a closed configuration wherein the fingers are flexed inwardly engaging the base, and an open configuration wherein the fingers are flexed outwardly releasing the base. Alternatively, a clamping device for restraining a guide wire includes top and bottom clamp members and a pivot connection, wherein the top clamp member has a handle end and a securing end and wherein the pivot connection enables the top clamp member to pivot between a closed position restraining the guide wire and an open position releasing the guide wire.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for restraining a guide wire, comprising:
 a bottom member;   a top member having a handle end and a securing end, the handle end being configured for receiving a depressive force by a user, the securing end being configured to press a portion of the guide wire against the bottom member; and   a pivot connection between the top and bottom members configured to allow the top member to pivot between a closed position restraining the guide wire and an open position releasing the guide wire.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a bias member configured to bias the top member into the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing end of the top member includes a friction-inducing material for contact with the portion of the guide wire when the top member is in a closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot connection includes a pin. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the pin extends through one or more pairs of overlapping fins, wherein each pair of overlapping fins includes a first fin extending from the bottom member and a second fin extending from the top member. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the bias member includes a leaf spring. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the leaf spring extends around the pin. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top member is elongated relative to the bottom member such that the top member and bottom member have generally equal lengths but the top member having a lesser width than the bottom member, the top member having a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the pivot connection is located at a generally central location along the longitudinal axis of the top member. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle end of the top member is located on a first side of the pivot connection, and the securing end of the top member is located on a second side of the pivot connection. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing end of the top member comprises a first pad configured to contact the guide wire and press the guide wire against the bottom member in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom member comprises a second pad positioned on the bottom member opposite the first pad of the top member. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle end of the top member is configured for single-handed actuation by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the handle end is configured to raise the securing end upon depression of the handle end against a bias force exerted by the biasing member. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the bottom member opposite a surface facing the top member comprises a layer of friction-inducing material or adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the bottom member opposite a surface facing the top member comprises a fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the fastener comprises a suction cup, a magnet, a screw or a tie.