The Cooper Companies Global Holdings LP

Smiths Group Plc

Thomas Cuthbert Mills

Stephen James Field

Richard Hingley

Stephen James Lodge

Tina Greathouse

J Michael Kennelly

An embryo transfer catheter or other medical device has a shaft extruded with two layers. The outer layer is relatively thick and contains gas bubbles sufficient to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation but with a density that allows material within the catheter to be viewed by the eye. The inner layer is relatively thin and is free of bubbles so that it provides a smooth bore to the catheter.

Medical devices

An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5.0 mu. to 10.0 mu. are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters.

Medical-surgical devices

Growing community of inventors

Kent, United Kingdom

Thomas Cuthbert Mills