Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator may include a distal portion, a handle portion, a lumen, and a proximal portion. The distal portion may have a curve extending to a distal opening and be configured to dilate a tracheostomy. The handle portion may be proximal of the distal portion and be configured to be grasped by a user. The lumen may be configured to receive a guidewire. The proximal portion may be proximal of the handle portion and have a proximal opening in communication with the lumen. The proximal portion may be configured to deflect the guidewire at an angle of at least 30 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator may include a distal portion, a handle portion, a lumen, and a proximal portion. The distal portion may have a curve extending to a distal opening and be configured to dilate a tracheostomy. The handle portion may be proximal of the distal portion and be configured to be grasped by a user. The lumen may be configured to receive a guidewire. The proximal portion may be proximal of the handle portion and have a proximal opening in communication with the lumen. The proximal portion may be configured to deflect the guidewire at an angle of at least 30 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

Abstract: A method of making a ready-to-use catheter assembly is provided, which can be immediately used by a patient. The ready-to-use catheter assembly ensures that the catheter does not suffer from a loss of quality during its shelf life and a wetting medium are provided. The method comprises: placing a catheter with an inactivated hydrophilic outer surface at least along its insertable length and a wetting medium in a catheter package; treating the catheter package with the catheter and the wetting medium with electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation while at least initially the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter remains inactivated; and activating the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter with the wetting medium during and/or after the radiation treatment and wherein the wetting medium decreases in viscosity when submitted to electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation.

Abstract: A method of making a ready-to-use catheter assembly is provided, which can be immediately used by a patient. The ready-to-use catheter assembly ensures that the catheter does not suffer from a loss of quality during its shelf life and a wetting medium are provided. The method comprises: placing a catheter with an inactivated hydrophilic outer surface at least along its insertable length and a wetting medium in a catheter package; treating the catheter package with the catheter and the wetting medium with electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation while at least initially the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter remains inactivated; and activating the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter with the wetting medium during and/or after the radiation treatment and wherein the wetting medium decreases in viscosity when submitted to electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation.

Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator may include a distal portion, a handle portion, a lumen, and a proximal portion. The distal portion may have a curve extending to a distal opening and be configured to dilate a tracheostomy. The handle portion may be proximal of the distal portion and be configured to be grasped by a user. The lumen may be configured to receive a guidewire. The proximal portion may be proximal of the handle portion and have a proximal opening in communication with the lumen. The proximal portion may be configured to deflect the guidewire at an angle of at least 30 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

Abstract: A method of making a ready-to-use catheter assembly is provided, which can be immediately used by a patient. The ready-to-use catheter assembly ensures that the catheter does not suffer from a loss of quality during its shelf life and a wetting medium are provided. The method comprises: placing a catheter with an inactivated hydrophilic outer surface at least along its insertable length and a wetting medium in a catheter package; treating the catheter package with the catheter and the wetting medium with electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation while at least initially the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter remains inactivated; and activating the hydrophilic outer surface at least along the insertable length of the catheter with the wetting medium during and/or after the radiation treatment and wherein the wetting medium decreases in viscosity when submitted to electro-magnetic and/or particle radiation.