A catheter assembly includes a catheter and an inner needle. The catheter has a catheter body and a flexible portion that is provided on a distal portion of the catheter body, includes a distal-most portion of the catheter, and is more flexible than the catheter body. The catheter body is made of a first material. The flexible portion is made of a second material. A change in flexibility of the second material between 25° C. and 37° C. is smaller than a change in flexibility of the first material between 25° C. and 37° C.

A catheter shaft includes an inner layer defining an innermost circumferential surface of the catheter shaft and defining a lumen of the catheter shaft, and an outer layer defining an outermost circumferential surface of the catheter shaft. The inner layer is formed by a first polymer having a first durometer and a first melting temperature. The outer layer is formed by alternating first and second segments of the first polymer and a second polymer, respectively, that alternate in a circumferential direction. The second polymer has a second durometer softer than the first durometer and a second melting temperature lower than the first melting temperature. Each segment of the alternating first and second segments extend in an axial direction for substantially an entire length of the catheter shaft. A method of forming the catheter shaft via extrusion is also disclosed.

Packaging for hydrated articles are generally provided. In some embodiments, packaged articles are provided. For example, in some embodiments, a container contains an article such as a catheter and/or polymeric material. The disclosed packaged articles may be useful for, for example, providing controlled humidity conditions for contained components, maintaining consistent hydration levels of the packaged articles, and/or improved sterilization conditions. Advantageously, the packaged articles described herein may, in some embodiments, create an environment with minimum relative humidity for long-term storage of a catheter or polymeric material, increase shelf life of the catheter or polymeric material, and/or facilitate hydration of a catheter such that e.g., the catheter hydrates to intended dimensions within a specified amount of time. Methods for preparing such packaged article are also provided.

Packaging for hydrated articles are generally provided. In some embodiments, packaged articles are provided. For example, in some embodiments, a container contains an article such as a catheter and/or polymeric material. The disclosed packaged articles may be useful for, for example, providing controlled humidity conditions for contained components, maintaining consistent hydration levels of the packaged articles, and/or improved sterilization conditions. Advantageously, the packaged articles described herein may, in some embodiments, create an environment with minimum relative humidity for long-term storage of a catheter or polymeric material, increase shelf life of the catheter or polymeric material, and/or facilitate hydration of a catheter such that e.g., the catheter hydrates to intended dimensions within a specified amount of time. Methods for preparing such packaged article are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a coating for medical devices. The lubricious coating includes a primer layer and a top coating layer as well as methods of making and using the same. The primer layer includes a reaction cured product of a multifunctional acrylate and an acid functionalized monoacrylate. The top coating layer includes a reaction cured product of a mixture that includes a hydrophilic polymer comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone, an acid functionalized monoacrylate, and a hydrophilic monomer. The lubricious coating may be coated onto medical devices to form a sensing guide wire, an ultrasound imaging device, and an intravascular imaging device. Associated devices and methods are also provided.

A catheter configured to release nitric oxide and chlorhexidine providing anti-platelet and antimicrobial properties is manufactured by impregnating a thermoplastic polyurethane catheter extrusion with a nitric oxide releasing compound and with chlorhexidine. Thereafter, the impregnated catheter extrusion is coated with a polyurethane coating comprising chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound. In the impregnating step, the catheter extrusion may be exposed to a solvent having the nitric oxide releasing compound and chlorhexidine dissolved therein. The solvent is removed from the catheter extrusion. In the coating step, the impregnated catheter extrusion may be dip coated in a polymer solution comprising polyurethane and chlorhexidine and/or a nitric oxide releasing compound in a suitable solvent. The nitric oxide releasing compound, impregnated and/or coated, may be selected from s-nitroso-n-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and mixtures thereof. The chlorhexidine, impregnated and/or coated, may be selected from chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine base, chlorhexidine gluconate, and mixtures thereof.

A catheter may include a distal side and a proximal side comprising a shaft having an outer tubular member, and an insertion member. The catheter may have at least a part of the insertion member in an axial direction disposed in the outer tubular member. At least one outer tubular member or insertion member is a multilayer tube having a first layer and a second layer laminated with the first layer. In a cross-section perpendicular to an axial direction of the multilayer tube, a ratio of cross-sectional areas of the second layer to the first layer is 0.7 or less.

Embodiments herein include delivery systems for active agent coated balloons and related methods. In an embodiment, a delivery system can include a tunneling sheath and a balloon catheter. The tunneling sheath can include a tubular shaft having an outer diameter and defining a lumen. The tunneling sheath can include a proximal collar defining a lumen. The balloon catheter can include a balloon catheter shaft disposed within the tubular shaft. The balloon catheter shaft can include a lumen for the passage of a fluid therein. The balloon catheter can include an expandable balloon disposed on the balloon catheter shaft. The balloon catheter shaft can include an active agent layer disposed on the expandable balloon. The position of the expandable balloon can be configured to be stationary relative to the tubular shaft as the delivery system is passed through a blood vessel of a patient. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Lubricious or hemocompatible coatings for medical devices are described.

A urinary catheter having an insertable shaft formed from a blend of an ethylene and/or propylene based polymer and water swellable material. The catheter having a hydrophilic coating disposed on the outer surface of the insertable catheter shaft.