Medical Device Package with a Twist Cap

Abstract

A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case and a cap connected by threads. The case includes a hollow tube which is closed at one end and open at the other. A shoulder is formed near one end of the case. Above the shoulder is a cylindrical ferrule that includes external threads. The cap has internal threads selectably engageable with the threads on the ferrule to form a liquid-tight seal between the cap and case when the cap is installed on the case.

1 . A medical device package, comprising:
 a container having an open end for receiving a medical device, said open end defining an outer contour;   a cap engageable with the open end of the container and movable between an open position, wherein access is provided to the open end of the container, and a closed position, wherein the cap prevents access to the open end of the container, the cap having an outer contour which matches the outer contour of the container to provide a continuous outer surface of the package at the junction of the cap and container when the cap is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device package of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a sleeve having a hollow tube which includes said open end defining the outer contour of the container; and
 a case having a hollow tube disposed at least partially within the sleeve.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device package of  claim 2 , wherein the container further comprises a hydration liner having a hollow tube disposed at least partially within the case. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device package of  claim 2 , wherein said sleeve includes a top land and a notch adjacent said top land and said case includes a shoulder, said notch configured to receive said shoulder. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device package of  claim 1 , further comprising threads formed on the container and mating threads formed on the cap, the threads permitting selectable movement of the cap between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5  wherein said cap includes a plurality of separate and non-continuous threads. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device package of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the container is formed from flexible material. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device package of  claim 2 , wherein the cap has an outer contour which matches the outer contour of the sleeve to provide a continuous outer surface of the package at a junction of the cap and sleeve when the cap is in the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . A medical device package comprising a case comprising a hollow tube and having an open end defining a rim and a cap engageable with the open end of the case and movable between an open and closed position, each of said case and said cap including threads for releasable engagement with one another. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device package of  claim 9 , wherein the case further comprises a hydration liner having a hollow tube disposed at least partially within the case. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device package of  claim 10 , wherein the liner further comprises windows covered with a liquid impermeable material. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device package of  claim 9 , wherein the case further comprises a ferrule and the cap further comprises a longitudinal wall and a top wall, each of said case and said cap including threads being formed on an external surface of the ferrule and on an internal surface of the longitudinal wall of said cap. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device package of  claim 12 , further comprising a first bead formed on the ferrule between the threads on the ferrule and the open end of the case, and a second bead formed on the cap between the threads on the cap and the top wall of the cap, the first and second beads cooperating with one another to form a liquid-tight seal between a closed cap and the case. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device package of  claim 9 , wherein the hollow tube of said case has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device package of  claim 9 , wherein the cap comprises a hollow shell which has a longitudinal wall having a closed top wall and an open bottom end wherein said longitudinal wall tapers radially outwardly toward its open bottom end. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter assembly comprising:
 a package including a case comprising a hollow tube and having an open end defining a rim and a cap engageable with the open end of the case and movable between an open and closed position, each of said case and said cap including threads for releasable engagement with one another;   a catheter comprising a catheter tube and a funnel at said distal end of said catheter tube, wherein said catheter tube is contained within said hollow tube of said case and at least a portion of said funnel protrudes above said rim of said case.   
     
     
         17 . The catheter assembly of  claim 16  wherein said case further comprises a radially outwardly extending shoulder and a ferrule extending therefrom. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter assembly of  claim 17  wherein said catheter funnel includes a flange at a bottom end of said funnel and said ferrule includes an internal bead for engagement with said flange. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter assembly of  claim 16  further comprising a hydration liner disposed within said hollow tube of said case. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter assembly of  claim 19  wherein said liner has a length that is shorter than said catheter tube for direct hydration of said catheter tube.