Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a protective tip defining an interior chamber between its proximal and distal ends. A protective lubricious sleeve is positioned within the interior chamber. A catheter of the assembly is configured to be advanced proximally into and through the interior chamber to position at least a portion of the catheter within the protective sleeve, with the protective sleeve being retained upon the catheter as at least a proximal portion of the catheter exits the proximal end of the protective tip and is advanced through a body lumen. A second sleeve may be associated with the protective tip and configured to extend distally from the protective tip to remain outside of the body lumen during use and receive a more distal portion of the catheter.

Abstract: A flushable catheter configured to facilitate flushing of the catheter down the toilet and for disposal thereof. The flushable catheter optionally having a selected density such that the catheter has a desired buoyancy relative to water. Alternatively or in addition to having a selected density, the flushable catheter optionally includes a water capture element that is contacted by flushing water and captures the force of the flushing water to propel the catheter down the toilet and/or across a trapway/U-bend sewer pipe.

Abstract: An intermittent catheter has a catheter shaft extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, with a drainage funnel associated with the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. A hydration device encircles at least a portion of the drainage funnel and defines a hydrating fluid-containing reservoir in fluid communication with at least one fluid-release port. The hydration device is configured to be manipulated by a user to move the at least one fluid-release port from a closed condition to an open condition to flow at least a portion of the hydrating fluid out of the reservoir via the at least one fluid-release port for covering at least a portion of the catheter shaft. After or while applying hydrating fluid to the catheter shaft, the hydration device may be dissociated from the drainage funnel for handling the intermittent catheter.

Abstract: A flushable catheter assembly that includes at least one shrinkable portion that shrinks from a first configuration to a second compact configuration to reduce the size of the catheter assembly for passage through the sewer system. The flushable catheter may also be made from a water disintegratable polymer that dissolves, degrades or hydrolyzes while within the sewer system.

Abstract: Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

Abstract: A flushable catheter assembly includes a catheter shaft having proximal and distal end portions. The catheter may include a funnel assembly associated with the distal end portion of the catheter shaft and/or an introducer cap assembly associated with the proximal end portion of the catheter shaft. A groove is defined along at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the funnel assembly or introducer cap assembly, with the groove being configured to receive at least a portion of the catheter shaft for wrapping the catheter shaft around the outer perimeter when disposing of the catheter. Instead of (or in addition to) a groove, one or more channels may pass through the funnel assembly to receive a portion of the catheter shaft for securing the catheter shaft to the funnel assembly for disposal. The catheter assembly and/or its individual components may be formed of a water disintegrable material.

Abstract: A urinary catheter deployment cassette or system includes a catheter pack, a urinary catheter, and an introducer aid. The catheter pack defines an interior compartment having a rotatable spindle at least partially positioned therein. The urinary catheter is at least partially received within the interior compartment of the catheter pack and associated with the spindle. The catheter pack includes a deformable or pierceable cover that the spindle engagement member of the introducer aid is pressed to rotate the spindle and deploy the catheter from the catheter pack. In another embodiment, a catheter pack includes an associated drainage adaptor for draining fluid from the catheter pack or a urinary catheter positioned within the catheter pack. In another embodiment, a cassette includes a rotatable drum with a two-piece catheter wrapped around it and a joining tube that places the pieces of the catheter in fluid communication.

Abstract: A compact catheter assembly is disclosed. The catheter assembly includes a receiver and a catheter sub-assembly. The catheter sub-assembly includes a catheter tube a fluid drain that are adapted for relative pivotal movement about a fluid junction.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: A compact catheter assembly (10) and methods of making such a catheter assembly are disclosed. The catheter assembly includes a receiver (14) and a catheter sub-assembly (16). The catheter sub-assembly includes a gripping member (18) and a catheter tube (20) carried by the gripping member.

Abstract: Catheter assemblies for draining urine from the urinary system of the user are disclosed herein. The catheter assemblies include an outer sleeve that houses the catheter tube and a deployable flexible container. The container is deployable through a slot in the sleeve wall and can be retracted back into the sleeve after use.

Abstract: A protective catheter tip has a generally tubular body portion defining an interior cavity. The proximal end of a urinary catheter is at least partially received within the protective tip, with the protective tip being retained on the urinary catheter without the need for a sleeve connecting the protective tip and the catheter. The protective tip may include a projection received within a draining hole or eye at the proximal end of the catheter to retain the protective tip on the catheter. The protective tip may instead include one or more projections that apply a frictional force to an outer surface of the catheter to retain the protective tip on the catheter. The protective tip may instead be retained on the catheter by a tether extending between the protective tip and a distal end of the catheter. The protective tip may also be provided in two pieces.

Abstract: An intermittent catheter assembly and kit comprising an elongated introducer element formed of a flexible material adapted for insertion into a urethra during a catheterization procedure. The introducer element has at least one slit extending longitudinally along a substantial portion of its length. The catheter assembly also includes an applicator having an opening, and a sheath having a first end that is secured to the applicator about the opening. The sheath also has a second end defining a discharge opening which is inverted relative to the first end of the sheath to define inner and outer sleeve portions. The inner sleeve portion defines a flow path for urine through the discharge opening. The applicator receives the introducer element through the opening and extends the outer sleeve portion over an outer surface of the elongated introducer element to separate it from the urethra.

Abstract: A package for a hydrophilic coated catheter includes a sleeve with liquid water impermeable and water vapor impermeable walls. A liquid flow interfering element, such as a liquid water impermeable, vapor permeable membrane is provided within the sleeve. The sleeve may include a wicking element that is isolated from the catheter. Liquid water is provided on one side of the liquid flow interfering element. As the liquid water changes phase to a vapor, the vapor permeates through the liquid flow interfering element and activates the hydrophilic coating. The sleeve is collapsible during manipulation of the catheter through the wall of the sleeve so as to advance the catheter through an insertion tip to facilitate urethral insertion, with the exterior of the sleeve walls remaining dry to the touch. A funnel end of the catheter may remain in communication with the sleeve, such that the sleeve may be used to direct the flow of urine.

Abstract: An intermittent urinary catheter assembly (20) comprises a catheter tube (22) having a proximal insertion end (24) and a distal end (26) remote from the proximal insertion end and a lumen (28) which extends from at or near the proximal insertion end to the distal end for draining urine from a human bladder. The intermittent urinary catheter assembly includes a urine discharge sleeve (34) associated with the discharge opening (30) of the catheter tube, and the urine discharge sleeve has a compact stowed configuration and is extendable into a deployed configuration for directing urine flow. Alternatively, an adapter assembly (50?) comprises a fitting or nipple (52?) having a urine passageway for insertion into a funnel (40?) associated with a urine discharge end of an intermittent urinary catheter, and a discharge funnel (42?) associated with the fitting or nipple, and an extendable urine discharge sleeve (34?) within the discharge funnel.

Abstract: An intermittent catheter assembly is disclosed which comprises an intermittent catheter (22) having a proximal insertion end (22a), a distal end (22b) remote from the proximal insertion end, and an insertable portion (22c). The insertable portion of the intermittent catheter extends from the proximal insertion end thereof to a point approaching the distal end thereof. The intermittent catheter is disposed in a cavity (25) and a drawstring (26) secured to the intermittent catheter extends through the cavity and generally along the insertable portion of the intermittent catheter. The drawstring has a first end (26a) secured to the intermittent catheter between the insertable portion and the distal end and a second end (26b) outside the cavity for withdrawing the intermittent catheter therefrom.