Abstract: A molding apparatus includes a mold comprising a stationary outer mold with a substantially tubular mold cavity, a moveable end mold with an end mold cavity alignable with the tubular mold cavity, and a stationary elongated mold core with a fluid channel therethrough, the mold core extending through the tubular cavity into the end mold cavity. A method of using the apparatus includes injecting a molding material at a material flow rate into the mold, moving the end mold at a speed in a linear direction from a first position to a second position, supplying a fluid at a fluid flow rate to the fluid channel, and varying at least one of the material flow rate, the end mold speed and the fluid flow rate as the end mold moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Methods for bonding polymeric substrates to component parts, and medical devices assemblies including a tubing and a component part bonded together using a solvent containing a tackifier.

Abstract: Catheters including thermoplastic polyurethane polymer tubing with improved shape recovery after storage in a substantially coiled configuration are provided.

Abstract: Reusable catheter products are provided for storing, transporting, and sterilizing reusable urinary catheters.

Abstract: A catheter drainage member (112) configured to be attached to a catheter tube (116), the drainage member comprising: body (115) having an inner surface (114); a well (120) defined by the inner surface of the body, the well configured to receive the catheter tube and an adhesive (122); and wherein the well is configured to selectively distribute the adhesive between the inner surface and the tube.

Abstract: Polymeric materials that are blends of polymers having differing water solubility rates are disclosed. The blends may be incorporated into at least a portion of a medical devices such as the shafts of flushable urinary catheters to provide suitable catheter stiffness/flexibility and catheter disintegration in water receptacles such as toilets. The blended material may provide the substrate of the catheter shaft or may provide one or more layers of the catheter.

Abstract: A urinary catheter and materials for making a urinary catheter having mechanical properties, such as stiffness and flexibility, which are stable over a range of temperatures.

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 molding apparatus includes a mold comprising a stationary outer mold with a substantially tubular mold cavity, a moveable end mold with an end mold cavity alignable with the tubular mold cavity, and a stationary elongated mold core with a fluid channel therethrough, the mold core extending through the tubular cavity into the end mold cavity. A method of using the apparatus includes injecting a molding material at a material flow rate into the mold, moving the end mold at a speed in a linear direction from a first position to a second position, supplying a fluid at a fluid flow rate to the fluid channel, and varying at least one of the material flow rate, the end mold speed and the fluid flow rate as the end mold moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: This is a water disintegrable, flushable catheter that will dissolve or biodegrade in water. It is coated with a hydrophilic coating and will achieve lubricity values typical of a hydrophilic catheter. The catheter may be formed of a bi-layer tube that has a biodegradable outer layer such as polylactic acid and a purely water disintegrable inner layer, e.g., polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). The outer layer will support the hydrophilic coating even when it's wetted and thus acts as a stable primer layer for hydrophilic style coatings. The outer layer bonds well to the water disintegrable inner layer but also allows a hydrophilic coating to be applied on top. The outer layer acts as a temporary water barrier. This water barrier allows the hydrophilic coating to be hydrated prior to use but prevents water molecules from attacking the PVOH inner layer.

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 molding apparatus includes a mold comprising a stationary outer mold with a substantially tubular mold cavity, a moveable end mold with an end mold cavity alignable with the tubular mold cavity, and a stationary elongated mold core with a fluid channel therethrough, the mold core extending through the tubular cavity into the end mold cavity. A method of using the apparatus includes injecting a molding material at a material flow rate into the mold, moving the end mold at a speed in a linear direction from a first position to a second position, supplying a fluid at a fluid flow rate to the fluid channel, and varying at least one of the material flow rate, the end mold speed and the fluid flow rate as the end mold moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Methods for bonding polymeric substrates to component parts, and medical devices assemblies including a tubing and a component part bonded together using a solvent containing a tackifier.

Abstract: A catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

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 catheter and package combination including a package having opposed front and rear panels that are sealed together to define a sealed interior cavity. The package also has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges. The cavity has a first height extending in a direction between the top and bottom edges. The front and rear panels are configured to tear adjacent to one of the side edges in the direction between the top and bottom edges to form an opening in communication with the cavity wherein the opening has a second height in the direction between the top and bottom edges that is smaller than the first height of the cavity. A urinary catheter in a compact configuration is disposed within the cavity.

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 molding apparatus includes a mold comprising a stationary outer mold with a substantially tubular mold cavity, a moveable end mold with an end mold cavity alignable with the tubular mold cavity, and a stationary elongated mold core with a fluid channel therethrough, the mold core extending through the tubular cavity into the end mold cavity. A method of using the apparatus includes injecting a molding material at a material flow rate into the mold, moving the end mold at a speed in a linear direction from a first position to a second position, supplying a fluid at a fluid flow rate to the fluid channel, and varying at least one of the material flow rate, the end mold speed and the fluid flow rate as the end mold moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Polymeric materials that are blends of polymers having differing water solubility rates are disclosed. The blends may be incorporated into at least a portion of a medical devices such as the shafts of flushable urinary catheters to provide suitable catheter stiffness/flexibility and catheter disintegration in water receptacles such as toilets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape memory materials and to a method for controlling shape change in shape memory materials. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a system for forming complex shapes from shape memory materials and to shape memory materials having complex shapes.