Locking assembly for a drainage catheter

1. A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising:

(a) a first protruding element fixedly positioned at a proximal end of the drainage catheter, wherein the first protruding element is disposed proximal to a port in the drainage catheter through which a proximal portion of the tension member may exit and wherein the first protruding element is disposed completely around a circumference of the drainage catheter;

(b) a collar coaxially disposed about the drainage catheter, the collar having a proximal portion, a tapered distal portion, and a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar, wherein when the locking assembly is in an open position, the collar is disposed distal to the first protruding element and when the locking assembly is in a locked position, the second protruding element is disposed proximal to the first protruding element such that the proximal portion of the tension member is secured by the first protruding element and the second protruding element in an abutting relation and the first protruding element is disposed between the second protruding element and the tapered distal portion within the interior surface of the collar, and wherein the diameter of the second protruding element is larger than the diameter of the first protruding element,

wherein the first and second protruding elements are O-rings and wherein the second protruding element is not in contact with the tubular member.

2. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking assembly is dimensioned to fit within a 30 Fr access sheath.

3. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second protruding element extends from an interior surface of the proximal portion of the collar.

4. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the O-rings comprise butadiene.

5. The locking assembly of claim 1 , wherein the O-rings comprise butyl rubber.

6. A locking assembly for use with a tension member in a drainage catheter, comprising:

(a) a first protruding element fixedly positioned at a proximal end of the drainage catheter, wherein the first protruding element is disposed proximal to a port in the drainage catheter through which a proximal portion of the tension member may exit and wherein the first protruding element is disposed completely around a circumference of the drainage catheter;

(b) a collar coaxially disposed about the drainage catheter, the collar having a proximal portion, a tapered distal portion, and a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar, wherein the collar is configured for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the catheter such that the collar may be moved along the drainage catheter toward the proximal end of the drainage catheter thereby interacting with the first protruding element and the proximal portion of the tension member is secured by the first protruding element and the second protruding element in an abutting relation and wherein the first protruding element is disposed between the second protruding element and the tapered distal portion within the interior surface of the collar and wherein the diameter of the second protruding element is larger than the diameter of the first protruding element,

wherein the first and second protruding elements are O-rings and wherein the second protruding element is not in contact with the tubular member.

7. A drainage catheter comprising

(a) an elongated tubular member, the tubular member having a distal end for insertion into a patient, a proximal end, and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, the distal end being formed to be positioned into a desired configuration;

(b) a locking assembly engaged with the proximal end of the tubular member, the locking assembly comprising a first protruding element fixedly positioned upon the tubular member and a collar;

(c) the first protruding element being disposed proximal to a port in the tubular member through which a proximal portion of a tension member may exit and wherein the first protruding element is disposed completely around a circumference of the drainage catheter;

(d) the collar being coaxially disposed about the tubular member and having a proximal portion, a tapered distal portion, and a second protruding element projecting from an interior surface of the collar, wherein the collar is configured for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the tubular member such that the collar may be moved along the tubular member toward the proximal end of the tubular member thereby interacting with the first protruding element and the proximal portion of the tension member is secured by the first protruding element and the second protruding element in an abutting relation wherein the first protruding element is disposed between the second protruding element and the tapered distal portion within the interior surface of the collar and wherein the diameter of the second protruding element is larger than the diameter of the first protruding element,

wherein the first and second protruding elements are O-rings and wherein the second protruding element is not in contact with the tubular member.

8. The drainage catheter of claim 7 , wherein the locking assembly is dimensioned to fit within a 30 Fr access sheath.

9. The drainage catheter of claim 7 , wherein the second protruding element extends from an interior surface of the proximal portion of the collar.