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 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 Foley catheter drainage collection system which is capable of permitting the removal and reconnection of drainage bags without compromising the sterility of the drainage system lumen. The collection system has a tubing element which includes a drainage valve associated with an end thereof remote from the insertion end of a Foley catheter. The drainage valve associated with the tubing element is movable from an open catheter drainage position to a closed position. The collection system also includes a drainage bag having a first connector element associated therewith and a second connector element is associated with the drainage valve. The second connector element is adapted for mating engagement with the first connector element. The collection system further includes a retaining element for maintaining the connector elements in mating engagement when the drainage valve is disposed in the open catheter drainage position.

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: 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 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: 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 vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube which may be surrounded by a sleeve. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package with 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. The catheter assembly is ready to use due to exposure of the hydrophilic coating to a vapor produced by the vapor donating liquid.

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.

Abstract: A scar dressing of thin polymeric film having a thickness no greater than about 10 mils (0.254 mm) is disclosed. The film is preferably coated on one side with a hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the dressing as a whole has a permeability profile for moisture vapor and oxygen that renders the dressing particularly suitable for treating scar tissue, particularly where the scarring has become, or may become, hypertropic or keloidal.

Abstract: A highly conformable and absorbent polymeric foam wound dressing is disclosed, such dressing being particularly useful in preventing pooling of fluid in a draining wound while at the same time maintaining surrounding skin surfaces in a relatively dry state.

Abstract: A scar dressing of thin polymeric film having a thickness no greater than about 10 mils (0.254 mm) is disclosed. The film is preferably coated on one side with a hypoallergenic pressure-sensitive adhesive, and the dressing as a whole has a permeability profile for moisture vapor and oxygen that renders the dressing particularly suitable for treating scar tissue, particularly where the scarring has become, or may become, hypertropic or keloidal.

Abstract: A stretchable and contractible wound closure dressing is disclosed having an adhesive bodyside layer preferably formed of an hydrocolloid-containing liquid-absorbing adhesive material layer, a vapor-permeable elastomeric backing layer secured to one surface of said adhesive layer, and a multiplicity of flexible but essentially non-stretchable reinforcing members extending in spaced parallel relation across said dressing for preventing stretching of said dressing only in directions parallel with said members.

Abstract: An orthotic pad is disclosed for reducing pressure and shear stresses on dermal and muscle tissue in treatment areas extending over bony prominences. This pad includes a hydrocolloid-containing adhesive body having oppositely-facing non-parallel first, and second major surfaces. The pad is formed of a soft, deformable and shape-recoverable adhesive material in which particles of at least one moisture-absorbing and moisture-swellable hydrocolloid material are dispersed. The first surface of the pad is contoured to match that of the treatment area for adhesively engaging and covering such area, and the second surface has a developed shape for corrective redistribution of external forces exertable against the treatment area to prevent further damage from pressure or shear forces, promote the healing process and, in appropriate cases, provide orthopedic correction.

Abstract: A highly conformable and absorbent polymeric foam wound dressing is disclosed, such dressing being particularly useful in preventing pooling of fluid in a draining wound while at the same time maintaining surrounding skin surfaces in a relatively dry state.

Abstract: A wound dressing is disclosed in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, preferably of a soft, pliant adhesive composition having one or more hydrocolloids dispersed therein, is backed by an elastomeric film and has its opposite (bodyside) surface covered by a removable primary release sheet and a release strip, with at least a portion of the release strip being interposed between the adhesive layer and the primary release sheet along one side edge of the dressing. The primary release sheet and the release strip have superposed or overlapping tab portions that project outwardly beyond a side edge portion of the dressing. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive and backing layers are translucent and the release strip is visible therethrough by reason of sharp color or tonal contrast in relation to the primary release sheet.