Abstract: A catheter comprising: a shaft (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3), the distal end terminating in a tip (4); a drainage opening (7) located at the distal end of the shaft, the drainage opening communicating with a drainage lumen (8) of the shaft; a balloon located at the distal end of the shaft, the balloon comprising a first region secured to the shaft, a second region secured to the shaft and an elastic-walled conduit extending between the first region and the second region, the elastic conduit extending over the tip.

Abstract: A catheter has an elongate shaft with a longitudinal drainage bore for conveying fluid along the shaft. An elongate, tapered tip portion extends from an end of the shaft, the tip portion having a distal end furthest from the shaft, and a drainage aperture is provided in the tip portion, being in fluid communication with the bore. An inflatable balloon element is attached to the tip portion. The balloon element is configured such that when it is fully inflated, at least a portion of the balloon element extends around the distal end of the tip portion and extends along the tip portion to a point on an opposite side of the drainage aperture to the distal end, a surface of the balloon element including a depression providing a passageway in fluid communication with the drainage aperture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catheter (220), and in particular to a urinary catheter. A catheter comprises an elongate shaft (222) having a longitudinal drainage bore (224) for conveying fluid along the shaft; an elongate, tapered tip portion (228) extending from an end of the shaft, the tip portion having a distal end (230) furthest from the shaft; a drainage aperture (232) provided in the tip portion, said aperture being in fluid communication with said bore; and an inflatable balloon element (236) attached to said tip portion, the balloon element being configured such that, when fully inflated, the balloon element fully surrounds the distal end of the tip portion and extends along the tip portion to a point on an opposite side of the drainage aperture to said distal end, a surface of the balloon element including a depression (242) providing a passageway in fluid communication with the drainage aperture.