Abstract: A urinary catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter having a proximal part with an insertion tip, a distal part and a tubular shaft extending between the insertion tip and the distal part. A package having at least a first compartment with an opening is provided to enclose the proximal part and at least a part of the tubular shaft therein in a curved or curled state during storage. A protective sleeve arrangement is arranged around the distal part of the urinary catheter, and a distal end of the protective sleeve arrangement is connected to the urinary catheter, at or in the vicinity of a distal end of the catheter. The protective sleeve arrangement includes at least two sleeves that are telescopically displaceable in relation to each other, and the protective sleeve arrangement is transformable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a catheter, is disclosed, comprising a substrate and having on its surface, on at least a part thereof, a hydrophilic surface layer providing low-friction surface character of the medical device when wetted by a wetting fluid. At least one base layer of the substrate, including the hydrophilic surface layer, is made of a polymer blend comprising at least one base polymer and at least one hydrophilic polymer, and wherein the concentration of the at least one hydrophilic polymer is higher in the hydrophilic surface layer than in the rest of the base layer. A method for producing such a medical device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An antibacterial device is disclosed that includes a substrate and an antibacterial coating or antibacterial surface being provided on at least a part of the substrate's surface. The antibacterial coating or surface includes Angstrom scale flakes, where the Angstrom scale flakes are arranged in a standing position on the substrate surface and are attached to the substrate surface via edge sides thereof. The Angstrom scale flakes can, for example, be graphene flakes, or graphite flakes having a thickness of a few atom layers. It has been found that such standing flakes are efficient in killing prokaryotic cells but do not harm eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: A urinary catheter assembly comprises: a urinary catheter, a tubular case and a sleeve fixedly arranged over at least a part of a non-insertable section of the urinary catheter. The sleeve includes two oppositely arranged openings and a body extending between the opening. In a first position, a storage position, the tubular case is arranged to enclose the insertable section of the urinary catheter and is removably connected to the sleeve and/or to the non-insertable section of the urinary catheter. The body portion of the sleeve is provided with a first engagement member, and the tubular case is provided with a second engagement member, thereby enabling the tubular case, when removed from the non-insertable part of the urinary catheter, to be releasably connected to the sleeve in a second disposition, the second disposition being different from the first disposition. A method for producing a urinary catheter assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are irrigation systems and methods, which can be used for rectal/anal irrigation. One example system includes a reservoir for an irrigating liquid, a probe for arrangement in a user, tubing providing fluid communication between the reservoir and probe, and an electrical pump for indirectly pumping irrigation liquid from the reservoir to the probe through said tubing. The electrical pump is controllable to assume a plurality of predetermined flow rates. The system includes an electrically operable valve to continuously control a degree of openness of the tubing, a flow sensor to measure an actual flow rate of the irrigation liquid in the probe, and a controller to obtain a desired flow rate, and control the flow rate of the electric pump to one of the plurality of flow rates exceeding the desired flow rate, and to continuously regulate the electrically operable valve based on the measured actual flow rate.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a catheter, such as a urinary catheter, which at least a partly is provided with hydrophilic coating. The catheter assembly further comprises a wetting fluid. The receptacle is in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter over the part of the catheter with the hydrophilic coating. This may, for example, be achieved by using a shrink wrap material. In order to accomplish adequate wetting, channels or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the receptacle or the outer surface of the catheter.

Abstract: An irrigation system is disclosed that can be uses in, for example, rectal irrigation. The system comprises a reservoir for an irrigating liquid and a probe for arrangement in a user. The probe includes an inflatable balloon for fixing the catheter in a body cavity. A first pump is provided to pump irrigation liquid from the reservoir to the probe, and a second pump is provided to pump a fluid to the balloon for inflation. A control unit controls the transfer of the irrigation liquid and the fluid, and includes a valve for releasing fluid from the balloon for deflation. Tubing provides fluid communication between the reservoir, control unit and probe. The control unit and the first and second pumps are further arranged as an integrated unitary component, and the manually operable balloon control element is arranged in the vicinity of the second pump.

Abstract: An insertion aid for catheter manipulation is disclosed. The insertion aid can be used for urinary catheters, such as hydrophilic urinary catheters for intermittent use. The insertion aid includes first and second plate-like arms arranged overlying each other and with a separation distance there between. The insertion aid also includes a resilient hinge connecting adjacent marginal edges of the plate-like arms together. At least one of the plate-like arms includes a groove on its clamping inner surface for holding a catheter shaft. The groove extends at least partly in the same direction as, and essentially parallel to, the resilient hinge, and is arranged at a distance both from the resilient hinge and from the marginal edge of the plate-like arm. Corresponding catheter set and catheter assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device assembly is disclosed, including a medical device, preferably having a hydrophilic surface coating, and a package accommodating said medical device. The package if formed of two sheets of foil material, a first foil of which has been deep drawn into a trough shape, the package further including a resealable opening arranged within the bounds of the second foil. The medical device may e.g. be a urinary catheter.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and a method of its manufacture are disclosed. The urinary catheter comprises a tubular shaft extending between an insertion end and a discharge end, the tubular shaft being formed of at least two materials having different properties. The materials are arranged substantially separated from each other in distinct zones, wherein at least one of the width and thickness of said zones varies over the length of the tubular shaft, to form two or more uniform sections of the tubular shaft having various relative amounts of said materials, and wherein at least one transition between two such uniform sections is formed by at least one transition section providing a gradual transition between the uniform sections. The catheter can e.g. be produced by intermittent extrusion.

Abstract: A sterilized medical device assembly comprises a medical device having a hydrophilic surface on at least a part thereof, such as a hydrophilic urinary catheter, and a package forming a closed compartment accommodating the medical device. The medical device is arranged in an activated state in the package, with the hydrophilic surface being wetted with a wetting fluid. In addition, a small amount of wetting liquid is freely arranged in the closed compartment of the package, and in direct contact with the hydrophilic surface of the medical device. The volume of the wetting liquid corresponds to between 0.01% and 10% of a volume of the closed compartment. The medical device assembly is steam sterilized, and it has been found that the extra small amount of free liquid is very efficient in ensuring a reliable and efficient steam sterilization.