Coupling and stabilization system for proximal end of catheter

A catheter coupling and stabilization system for the extracorporeal portion of an implant able catheter, said system comprising:

• a. a catheter assembly comprised of a first class of materials, said catheter assembly comprising:
• i. an elongated flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and
• ii. a catheter coupling hub, the distal end of said catheter coupling hub being secured to said proximal end of said catheter;
• and
• b. a stabilization sleeve encircling said distal end of said catheter coupling hub and a portion of said proximal end of said catheter immediately adjacent thereto, said stabilization sleeve having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, said distal end of said catheter coupling hub being secured in the proximal end of said passageway with said portion of said proximal end of said catheter immediately adjacent thereto extending therefrom through said passageway, said stabilization sleeve being comprised of a second class of materials having selected physical properties substantially different from corresponding selected physical properties of said first class of materials, and said stabilization sleeve comprising:
• i. a pair of stabilization wings extending from opposite sides of said stabilization sleeve distal of said distal end of said catheter coupling hub;
• and
• ii. a strain relief region between said catheter coupling hub and said stabilization wings, movement of said catheter coupling hub relative to said stabilization wings being facilitated by said strain relief region when said stabilization wings are secured to the skin of a patient.

A catheter coupling and stabilization system for the extracorporeal portion of an implantable catheter, said system comprising:

• a. a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• b. a catheter coupling hub, the distal end of said catheter coupling hub being secured to said proximal end of said catheter;
• and
• c. a stabilization sleeve encircling said distal end of said catheter coupling hub and a portion of said proximal end of said catheter immediately adjacent thereto, said stabilization sleeve comprising:
• i. an elongated tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, said distal end of said catheter coupling hub being secured in said passageway at said proximal end of said tube;
• ii. attachment means for securing said tube at a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation to the skin of a patient, said attachment means being located on the exterior of said tube distal of said catheter coupling hub;
• and
• iii. a strain relief region between said catheter coupling hub and said attachment means, movement of said catheter coupling hub relative to said attachment means being facilitated by said strain relief region.