Abstract: A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.

Abstract: An introducing catheter for use with a pair of different diameter wire guides, the larger of which is a J-type wire guide, is provided in order to enlarge a tract to facilitate the passage of a drainage catheter through the tract. The introducing catheter includes an inwardly curved portion which lies between the distal and proximal ends of the catheter with the curved portion being located nearer to the distal end. The catheter also has a flexible tapered tip at its distal end and a lumen which decreases in area towards the distal end. The catheter further has a side port which is distally positioned from the curved portion and on the inward side of the curved portion so that when a J-type wire guide is advanced within the catheter from the proximal end, the wire guide will automatically emerge through the side port. The side port has an oval or elliptical shape with its major axis along the length of the tube.