Abstract: A catheter package includes an elongated case. A cap is attached to the case by a flexible strap. The case receives the tubing portion of a catheter. The catheter has a funnel attached to the tubing. The funnel has a seal portion releasably engageable with the case. The cap is releasably engageable with the funnel to retain the funnel in contact with the case. A user can flip the cap off the funnel to permit removal of the catheter from the case. The funnel may include ridges or a tactile ring to improve the user’s grip on the funnel. An adaptor may be disposed between the funnel and case to allow mating of different cross sectional shapes of the funnel and case. A hydration device may be inserted in the case. Alternately, a tubular liner may be inserted in the case to separate liquid water on the outside of the liner from the catheter tubing on the inside of the liner. A window in the liner mounts a patch of filter material that permits the passage of water vapor into the interior of the liner.

Abstract: A catheter package includes an elongated case. A cap is attached to the case by a flexible strap. The case receives the tubing portion of a catheter. The catheter has a funnel attached to the tubing. The funnel has a seal portion releasably engageable with the case. The cap is releasably engageable with the funnel to retain the funnel in contact with the case. A user can flip the cap off the funnel to permit removal of the catheter from the case. The funnel may include ridges or a tactile ring to improve the user's grip on the funnel. An adaptor may be disposed between the funnel and case to allow mating of different cross sectional shapes of the funnel and case. A hydration device may be inserted in the case. Alternately, a tubular liner may be inserted in the case to separate liquid water on the outside of the liner from the catheter tubing on the inside of the liner. A window in the liner mounts a patch of filter material that permits the passage of water vapor into the interior of the liner.

Abstract: Catheter assemblies including a catheter and a liquid.

Abstract: A catheter assembly (10) comprising: a hydrophilic urinary catheter (16) having a catheter shaft including a proximal insertion end portion (22) and a distal end portion (24) having a drainage member (26), a collapsible sleeve (12) defining a compartment (14) that contains a portion of the catheter shaft, a distal end portion (32) of the sleeve (12) being attached to the distal end portion (24) of the urinary catheter (16); an amount of liquid (20) located within the compartment (14); an introducer (28) located at a proximal end portion (30) of the sleeve (12), the introducer (28) including a passageway therethrough and a proximal opening for passage of the catheter shaft therethrough; and a removable cap (46) covering the introducer (28) wherein the cap (46) includes an anti-leak element.

Abstract: A catheter assembly (10) comprising: a hydrophilic urinary catheter (16) having a catheter shaft including a proximal insertion end portion (22) and a distal end portion (24) having a drainage member (26), a collapsible sleeve (12) defining a compartment (14) that contains a portion of the catheter shaft, a distal end portion (32) of the sleeve (12) being attached to the distal end portion (24) of the urinary catheter (16); an amount of liquid (20) located within the compartment (14); an introducer (28) located at a proximal end portion (30) of the sleeve (12), the introducer (28) including a passageway therethrough and a proximal opening for passage of the catheter shaft therethrough; and a removable cap (46) covering the introducer (28) wherein the cap (46) includes an anti-leak element.

Abstract: Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

Abstract: Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

Abstract: A catheter package includes an elongated case. A cap is attached to the case by a flexible strap. The case receives the tubing portion of a catheter. The catheter has a funnel attached to the tubing. The funnel has a seal portion releasably engageable with the case. The cap is releasably engageable with the funnel to retain the funnel in contact with the case. A user can flip the cap off the funnel to permit removal of the catheter from the case. The funnel may include ridges or a tactile ring to improve the user's grip on the funnel. An adaptor may be disposed between the funnel and case to allow mating of different cross sectional shapes of the funnel and case. A hydration device may be inserted in the case. Alternately, a tubular liner may be inserted in the case to separate liquid water on the outside of the liner from the catheter tubing on the inside of the liner. A window in the liner mounts a patch of filter material that permits the passage of water vapor into the interior of the liner.

Abstract: A catheter package includes an elongated case (210). A cap (218) is attached to the case by a flexible strap (214). The case receives the tubing portion of a catheter. The catheter has a funnel (224) attached to the tubing. The funnel has a seal portion releasably engageable with the case. The cap is releasably engageable with the funnel to retain the funnel in contact with the case. A user can flip the cap off the funnel to permit removal of the catheter from the case. A hydration device may be inserted in the case. Alternately, a tubular liner may be inserted in the case to separate liquid water on the outside of the liner from the catheter tubing on the inside of the liner. A window in the liner mounts a patch of filter material that permits the passage of water vapor into the interior of the liner.

Abstract: A flushable catheter configured to facilitate flushing of the catheter down the toilet and for disposal thereof. The flushable catheter optionally having a selected density such that the catheter has a desired buoyancy relative to water. Alternatively or in addition to having a selected density, the flushable catheter optionally includes a water capture element that is contacted by flushing water and captures the force of the flushing water to propel the catheter down the toilet and/or across a trapway/U-bend sewer pipe.

Abstract: A flushable catheter assembly that includes at least one shrinkable portion that shrinks from a first configuration to a second compact configuration to reduce the size of the catheter assembly for passage through the sewer system. The flushable catheter may also be made from a water disintegratable polymer that dissolves, degrades or hydrolyzes while within the sewer system.

Abstract: A catheter package includes an elongated case (210). A cap (218) is attached to the case by a flexible strap (214). The case receives the tubing portion of a catheter. The catheter has a funnel (224) attached to the tubing. The funnel has a seal portion releasably engageable with the case. The cap is releasably engageable with the funnel to retain the funnel in contact with the case. A user can flip the cap off the funnel to permit removal of the catheter from the case. A hydration device may be inserted in the case. Alternately, a tubular liner may be inserted in the case to separate liquid water on the outside of the liner from the catheter tubing on the inside of the liner. A window in the liner mounts a patch of filter material that permits the passage of water vapor into the interior of the liner.

Abstract: A flushable catheter configured to facilitate flushing of the catheter down the toilet and for disposal thereof. The flushable catheter optionally having a selected density such that the catheter has a desired buoyancy relative to water. Alternatively or in addition to having a selected density, the flushable catheter optionally includes a water capture element that is contacted by flushing water and captures the force of the flushing water to propel the catheter down the toilet and/or across a trapway/U-bend sewer pipe.

Abstract: A flushable catheter assembly that includes at least one shrinkable portion that shrinks from a first configuration to a second compact configuration to reduce the size of the catheter assembly for passage through the sewer system. The flushable catheter may also be made from a water disintegratable polymer that dissolves, degrades or hydrolyzes while within the sewer system.

Abstract: Medical devices that are flushable in a standard toilet are disclosed. The medical devices are made at least in part of material that when introduced into water (of a toilet) disintegrate and/or fragment or are fragmentable before or after introduction into water such that they can be easily carried by the water through the disposal system. At least a portion of the device is intended for insertion into a patient or subject wherein the body-insertable portion retains its structural integrity while in use but is fragmentable once outside the body and exposed to a selected condition.

Abstract: A package for a hydrophilic coated catheter includes a sleeve with liquid water impermeable and water vapor impermeable walls. A liquid flow interfering element, such as a liquid water impermeable, vapor permeable membrane is provided within the sleeve. The sleeve may include a wicking element that is isolated from the catheter. Liquid water is provided on one side of the liquid flow interfering element. As the liquid water changes phase to a vapor, the vapor permeates through the liquid flow interfering element and activates the hydrophilic coating. The sleeve is collapsible during manipulation of the catheter through the wall of the sleeve so as to advance the catheter through an insertion tip to facilitate urethral insertion, with the exterior of the sleeve walls remaining dry to the touch. A funnel end of the catheter may remain in communication with the sleeve, such that the sleeve may be used to direct the flow of urine.