A dual double balloon catheter includes a catheter having a proximal end portion, a central portion and a distal end portion, and a secondary treatment balloon for a catheter. The catheter includes a plurality of lumens within the catheter extending from the proximal end portion, a plurality of inflatable balloons positioned in the central portion and a secondary treatment balloon communicatively associated with the distal end portion of the catheter, and the balloons and the secondary treatment balloon being communicatively connected with a corresponding one of the plurality of lumens to selectively inflate/deflate the corresponding inflatable balloon or to receive a radioactive dose or a therapeutic agent for a treatment.

One aspect relates to a conductive polymer composite based sensor, a detection unit comprising such sensor, a method for manufacturing a conductive polymer composite based sensor, and a use of the conductive polymer composite based sensor or the detection unit. The conductive polymer composite based sensor includes a substrate and a sensor material. The sensor material includes an insulating polymer matrix component and an electrically conductive component dispersed in the polymer matrix component to form the conductive polymer composite. The sensor material is pre-strained and applied to the substrate to form the sensor.

One aspect relates to a conductive polymer composite based sensor, a detection unit comprising such sensor, a method for manufacturing a conductive polymer composite based sensor, and a use of the conductive polymer composite based sensor or the detection unit. The conductive polymer composite based sensor includes a substrate and a sensor material. The sensor material includes an insulating polymer matrix component and an electrically conductive component dispersed in the polymer matrix component to form the conductive polymer composite. The sensor material is pre-strained and applied to the substrate to form the sensor.

Provided is an indwelling catheter which is stiff when being inserted into a vessel such as a blood vessel, softens after indwelling in the vessel, and conforms to a shape in a direction in which the vessel runs. In the indwelling catheter, the maximum value of a catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. is 0.10 N or more; the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.01 to 0.25 N; a ratio of the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. to the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is in a range of 3.5:1 or more; and the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.027 N or less after 5 minutes from indwelling.

Provided is an indwelling catheter which is stiff when being inserted into a vessel such as a blood vessel, softens after indwelling in the vessel, and conforms to a shape in a direction in which the vessel runs. In the indwelling catheter, the maximum value of a catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. is 0.10 N or more; the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.01 to 0.25 N; a ratio of the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. to the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is in a range of 3.5:1 or more; and the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.027 N or less after 5 minutes from indwelling.

Provided is an indwelling catheter which is stiff when being inserted into a vessel such as a blood vessel, softens after indwelling in the vessel, and conforms to a shape in a direction in which the vessel runs. In the indwelling catheter, the maximum value of a catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. is 0.10 N or more; the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.01 to 0.25 N; a ratio of the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force in a dry state at 25° C. to the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is in a range of 3.5:1 or more; and the maximum value of the catheter repulsive force when immersed in warm water at 37° C. is 0.027 N or less after 5 minutes from indwelling.

A method of manufacturing tubing suitable for use as a component of a medical device, such as a catheter body, and the real-time adjustment of characteristics of the tubing as it passes from one reel to another reel during manufacture. Thus, a length of tubing is manufactured that includes a plurality of segments of different flexibilities and the length of tubing is then cut into a plurality of sub-lengths of tubing that are suitable for use as a component of a medical device. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a length of catheter tubing comprises: extruding a base layer; overlaying a braided layer on the base layer; overlaying a sub-jacket layer over the braided layer; overlaying an outer jacket on the jacket sub-layer; and heating at least a portion the jacket sub-layer to change a characteristic of the length of catheter tubing.

A method of manufacturing tubing suitable for use as a component of a medical device, such as a catheter body, and the real-time adjustment of characteristics of the tubing as it passes from one reel to another reel during manufacture. Thus, a length of tubing is manufactured that includes a plurality of segments of different flexibilities and the length of tubing is then cut into a plurality of sub-lengths of tubing that are suitable for use as a component of a medical device. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a length of catheter tubing comprises: extruding a base layer; overlaying a braided layer on the base layer; overlaying a sub-jacket layer over the braided layer; overlaying an outer jacket on the jacket sub-layer; and heating at least a portion the jacket sub-layer to change a characteristic of the length of catheter tubing.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of a stricture and/or cancer, or for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in a non-vascular body lumen and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter includes a length-control mechanism which stretches and elongates the balloon when it is in a deflated state, giving the balloon a smaller cross-sectional deflated profile for tracking through the body lumen and for removal after treatment.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating, preventing, or reducing the recurrence of a stricture and/or cancer, or for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in a non-vascular body lumen and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the balloon catheter includes a length-control mechanism which stretches and elongates the balloon when it is in a deflated state, giving the balloon a smaller cross-sectional deflated profile for tracking through the body lumen and for removal after treatment.