Retaining device for axially restraining movement between tubular elements of a medical device

A retaining device for restraining axial movement between a tubular sheath, connected to a housing having an enlarged part, and a tubular dilator, connected to a hub and extending through a lumen in the housing and the sheath, the retaining device comprising:

• a clip having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface of the clip, the clip having spaced apart circumferential ends between which is defined a clearance opening that opens into the interior of the clip for allowing the clip to be mounted on the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, the clip also having an opening at each axial end of the clip, the interior of the clip defining first and second interior portions positioned axially adjacent one another, the first interior portion being adapted to receive and circumferentially surround a portion of the hub, the second interior portion being adapted to receive and circumferentially surround a portion of the enlarged part of the housing, the first and second interior portions of the clip being of different size, wherein the first interior portion of the clip is smaller than the second interior portion of the clip.

A retaining device for restraining axial movement between a tubular sheath, connected to a housing having an enlarged part, and a tubular dilator, connected to a hub and extending through a lumen in the housing and the sheath, the retaining device comprising:

• a clip having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface of the clip, the clip having spaced apart circumferential ends between which is defined a clearance opening that opens into the interior of the clip for allowing the clip to be mounted on the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, the clip also having an opening at each axial end of the clip, the interior of the clip defining first and second interior portions positioned axially adjacent one another, the first interior portion being adapted to receive and circumferentially surround a portion of the hub, the second interior portion being adapted to receive and circumferentially surround a portion of the enlarged part of the housing, the first and second interior portions of the clip being of different size, wherein the opening at one axial end of the clip is smaller than the opening at the other axial end of the clip.

A retaining device for restraining axial movement between a tubular elongated sheath, connected to a housing having an enlarged part, and a tubular dilator, connected to a hub and extending through a lumen in the housing and the sheath, the retaining device comprising:

• a clip having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface of the clip, the clip having spaced apart circumferential ends between which is defined a clearance opening that opens into the interior of the clip for allowing the interior of the clip to receive portions of the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, the clip including at least one laterally outwardly extending finger engaging tab extending laterally outwardly from adjacent one of the circumferential ends of the clip for being engaged by an individual's finger to facilitate removal of the clip from the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, wherein the clip includes a plurality of circumferentially extending through slots communicating the inner circumferential surface of the clip with an outer circumferential surface of the clip, and wherein portions of axially adjacent ones of the through slots are circumferentially shifted relative to one another.

A retaining device for restraining axial movement between a tubular elongated sheath, connected to a housing having an enlarged part, and a tubular dilator, connected to a hub and extending through a lumen in the housing and the sheath, the retaining device comprising:

• a clip having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface of the clip, the clip having spaced apart circumferential ends between which is defined a clearance opening that opens into the interior of the clip for allowing the interior of the clip to receive portions of the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, the clip including at least one laterally outwardly extending finger engaging tab extending laterally outwardly from adjacent one of the circumferential ends of the clip for being engaged by an individual's finger to facilitate removal of the clip from the hub and the enlarged part of the housing, wherein the clip has axial end walls each provided with an opening, with the opening in one axial end wall being smaller than the opening in the other axial end wall.