Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved urinary catheter for efficiently draining urine from a urinary bladder of a patient. The improved urinary catheter includes a soft tip that is friendly to the urinary bladder. The improved urinary catheter further includes longer drainage port for proper irrigation of the catheter and thus make it simple to use and better tolerability. In addition, the improved urinary catheter also includes a catheter plug allowing the patient to move more freely and use lavatory rather than using a urine bag all the time.

Abstract: A female urethral catheter guide includes a guide body defining a first body portion having a first end and a second body portion having a second end. The first body portion includes a longitudinally extending catheter support groove formed in a surface thereof, and the second body portion includes a radially outwardly extending tunnel portion having a catheter tunnel formed therein, wherein the catheter tunnel is connected to the catheter support groove and the second end of the second body portion is rounded and defines a vaginal support end.

Abstract: The invention provides the compounds of formula ( ): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.