Abstract: A ureteral stent of a small tubular size, e.g., 6 French, with an enlarged entry end of the stent tube, a dissolving tip of satisfactory strength and dimension that can be secured in the tube and a bore that can be incorporated in the tip enabling passage of an 0.038 inch guidewire having the desired stiffness characteristics. Stents according to the invention incorporate a tip of sufficiently large size that the tip can be reliably manufactured and secured to the stent body. The invention also includes medical devices with informational markings formed by application of laser radiation.

Abstract: The catheter of the present invention is adapted to be introduced into an internal organ in a body either percutaneously or through a body orifice for drainage of that organ where it can contact bodily fluids. The catheter includes a flexible tubular member that has an inner lumen and a rigid solid tip disposed at the end of the inner lumen. The tip is formed of a material that is slippery when wet, soluble in the bodily fluids and capable of absorbing radiographic fluids that are injected into inner lumen for identification of the location by X-rays. A narrow passageway is disposed in the tip and extends from the inner lumen to the distal end of the tip. The passageway is adapted to receive a guide wire for insertion of the catheter into an internal organ.