Hollister, Inc.

Sean Sweeney

Martin P Creaven

Michael G Murray

Thomas H Gilman

Seamus T Kavanagh

Thorsten Rodtmann

Martin Greaven

A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube-receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element. The activation of at least some of the hydrophilic coating occurs solely by reason of exposure of the outer surface of the catheter to a vapor produced by the vapor donating liquid. The distribution of the catheter following manufacture is delayed for a time sufficient to permit the vapor to complete hydration of the entire hydrophilic coating on the surface.

Packaged ready-to-use product

Packaged ready-to-use product and method

Vapor hydration of a hydrophilic catheter in a package

A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter within a catheter-receiving cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating on at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube which may be surrounded by a sleeve. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package with a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. The catheter assembly is ready to use due to exposure of the hydrophilic coating to a vapor produced by the vapor donating liquid.

Vapor hydrated collapsible sleeve hydrophilic catheter package

Vapor hydration of a hydrophilic product in a package

Vapor hydration of a hydrophilic catheter within a package

A urinary catheter package takes the form of a pouch containing a catheter and a lubricating device. The lubricating device comprises a housing with distal and proximal end portions and a lubricant-containing chamber therebetween. A frusto-conical collar at the proximal end of the device performs dual functions of preventing lubricant leakage into the pouch and unintentional sliding movement of the catheter when the package is in use.

Urinary catheter package and lubricator therefor with combined gripping and sealing means

Growing community of inventors

Ballina, Ireland

Sean Sweeney