Abstract: A catheter has extruded length of tubing and an injection molded tip that facilitates insertion of the catheter into the body. The catheter is fabricated by the steps of providing the tubing, for example, by extruding the tubing from a thermoplastic resin cutting the tubing to the desired length, inserting a plug into the tubing, inserting one end of the tubing into an injection mold cavity, creating and forming a tip in an injection molding step, and demolding the tubing with the formed tip.

Abstract: A catheter has extruded length of tubing and an injection molded tip that facilitates insertion of the catheter into the body. The catheter is fabricated by the steps of providing the tubing, for example, by extruding the tubing from a thermoplastic resin cutting the tubing to the desired length, inserting a plug into the tubing, inserting one end of the tubing into an injection mold cavity, creating and forming a tip in an injection molding step, and demolding the tubing with the formed tip.

Abstract: A catheter has extruded length of tubing and an injection molded tip that facilitates insertion of the catheter into the body. The catheter is fabricated by the steps of providing the tubing, for example, by extruding the tubing from a thermoplastic resin cutting the tubing to the desired length, inserting a plug into the tubing, inserting one end of the tubing into an injection mold cavity, creating and forming a tip in an injection molding step, and demolding the tubing with the formed tip.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of applying to a substrate a hydrophilic coating that becomes lubricious when activated with water or water vapor, and to substrates having such a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of applying to a substrate a hydrophilic coating that becomes lubricious when activated with water or water vapor, and to substrates having such a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: An anal irrigation kit provides an improved approach for emptying a bowel by instilling irrigation liquid and stimulating the rectal wall simultaneously. The anal irrigation kit includes an irrigation liquid reservoir, a hand pump, and a soft flow manifold, which can be folded for insertion into a rectum.

Abstract: A catheter has extruded length of tubing and an injection molded tip that facilitates insertion of the catheter into the body. The catheter is fabricated by the steps of providing the tubing, for example, by extruding the tubing from a thermoplastic resin cutting the tubing to the desired length, inserting a plug into the tubing, inserting one end of the tubing into an injection mold cavity, creating and forming a tip in an injection molding step, and demolding the tubing with the formed tip.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of applying to a substrate a hydrophilic coating that becomes lubricious when activated with water or water vapor, and to substrates having such a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A catheter or other medical device is provided in a package having a source of liquid capable of changing phase into a vapor that can activate a coating and/or be introduced into a matrix of the material that forms the catheter to thereby activate or release an antimicrobial component within the matrix so it can begin acting instantly after the package is opened and the catheter or other medical device is placed into use.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.

Abstract: A package includes a vapor impermeable material forming a sealed cavity. A hydrated, ready to use contact lens is disposed within the cavity. A quantity of a liquid is disposed within the cavity such that the contact lens is, at least in part, not immersed in the liquid, thereby facilitating easy removal of the contact lens when the package is opened.

Abstract: A bite block for an endotracheal tube has a tubular wall with a pair of opposed ends, a central opening along a length of the bite block between the pair of opposed ends, an interior wall surface, and an accessory line channel positioned between the interior wall surface and an endotracheal tube extending through the central opening. The accessory line channel is formed by a wall segment that is recessed into the interior wall surface, the wall segment being thinner than a thickness of the tubular wall adjacent the wall segment. The bite block can be part of or attachable to an endotracheal tube holding device attachable to a patient.

Abstract: An anal irrigation kit provides an improved approach for emptying a bowel by instilling irrigation liquid and stimulating the rectal wall simultaneously. The anal irrigation kit includes an irrigation liquid reservoir, a hand pump, and a soft flow manifold, which can be folded for insertion into a rectum.

Abstract: A retention cuff for a fecal collection device has an inflatable body with a proximal end, a proximal end flow opening, a free end, and a free end flow opening. An interior volume within the body is fillable with a medium to inflate the cuff. An axial flow path extends along an axis of and through the body and is in flow communication with the proximal and free end openings. A plurality of lateral flow pathways in the body are in flow communication with the axial flow path. The plurality of lateral flow pathways provides fluid flow in a direction different from the axial flow path.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and method is disclosed which comprises a catheter having a coating on at least a part of its length intended to produce a low-friction surface on the catheter when treated with an activating substance in the form of a vapor. The catheter assembly also includes a catheter package forming an interior space divided by a gas permeable, liquid impermeable barrier into a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity of the catheter package accommodates the catheter therein and the second cavity accommodates at least a quantity of liquid in its liquid phase therein. The liquid in the second cavity can change phase into a vapor capable of passing from the second cavity, through the barrier, and into the first cavity where the vapor can activate the coating. As a result, the vapor produced when the liquid changes phase causes the coating on the catheter to be activated to thereby produce the low-friction surface on the catheter so it is ready-to-use when it reaches the end user.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.

Abstract: A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element.