Circumferential Numbering System for Catheters

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a system of circumferentially (preferably helically) arranging indicia on the elongate body of a medical device such as a catheter. The disclosure also relates to an anchor drain for securing a surgical drain to a fluid collection device. The anchor drain resists disconnection of the surgical drain from the fluid collection device and also resists occlusion of the conduit connecting the surgical drain and the fluid collection device, even when a suture is tied about a portion of the anchor drain inserted within the surgical drain, and resists unintentional withdrawal of the surgical drain from the body or a body cavity.

1 . In an elongate medical device that is insertable into the body of a patient, the improvement comprising a plurality of indicia borne by the device, each of the indicia representing a distance from the indicium to the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         2 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia are distributed circumferentially about the long axis of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia are distributed helically about the long axis of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The improvement of  claim 1 , comprising pairs of indicia borne by the device, each of the indicia representing a distance from the indicium to the distal end of the device, each of the pairs being disposed equidistantly from the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         5 . The improvement of  claim 4 , wherein the pairs of indicia are distributed helically about the long axis of the device. 
     
     
         6 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein, wherein the elongate medical device is a catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein, wherein the elongate medical device is a ventricular catheter. 
     
     
         8 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia are numbers corresponding to the distance between the indicia and the distal end of the device. 
     
     
         9 - 13 . (canceled)