An infusion set, patch pump, or elements thereof, having an exemplary catheter (14) provided with one or more channels, grooves and coatings (24, 34, 44), configured and arranged to provide a degree of strength and flexibility. The catheter (14) can also have an exemplary flexible union with the hub (12) having at least one of a ball-and-socket joint (66, 68), a sliding plate (86), and a flexible bushing (106), and which is sealed to allow even further movement of the catheter (14) while preventing leakage of medication through the junction. In doing so, a number of benefits associated with the use of rigid materials in catheter construction can be provided while at the same time, benefits associated with the use of flexible materials in catheter construction and/or flexible engagement with the hub can also be provided.

A system for accessing a central pulmonary artery includes an elongate, flexible tubular catheter, having a proximal end, a distal end and a catheter hub on the proximal end. An elongate, flexible rail has a proximal end, a distal end and a rail hub on the proximal end. The rail has a distal advance segment which extends at least about 10 cm beyond the distal end of the catheter when the catheter hub is adjacent the rail hub.

Provided are methods for surface-modifying a tubular object of a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer. The methods allow these objects to have at least a lubricating inner surface layer chemically fixed thereon, instead of having a resin coating which has drawbacks such as reduction in lubricity due to e.g. separation or peeling of the coating during movement within a vessel or tract. Included is a method for surface-modifying a tubular object made of a rubber vulcanizate or a thermoplastic elastomer whose side wall may have an opening, the method including: step 1 of forming polymerization initiation points on at least the outer surface of the object; and step 2 of irradiating the outer surface of the object with ultraviolet light of 300-400 nm to radically polymerize a monomer using radicals generated from the polymerization initiation points to grow polymer chains on at least the inner surface of the object.

Embodiments herein include an insertion tool for inserting a medical device into another medical device, such as a hemostasis sealing valve, and related methods. In an embodiment, an insertion tool includes a guide sheath and a protection tube. The guide sheath can include a flared proximal end. The guide sheath can further include a central lumen. The guide sheath can further include a locking notch disposed on the inner surface between the proximal end and the distal end. The protection tube can include a flared proximal end. A portion of the protection tube can be situated within the central lumen of the guide sheath. The flared proximal end of the protection tube can be sized to fit within the locking notch and can have an outer diameter larger than portions of the inner surface immediately adjacent to the locking notch. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A medical device such as a catheter may have an elongate shaft that includes a hypotube having a cut formed therein. The elongate shaft may define a lumen that extends within the elongate shaft. A polymer may be disposed over at least a portion of the hypotube. A medical device may include a cut hypotube having a constant pitch and may be configured to reversibly and temporarily alter the pitch of at least a portion of the cut hypotube. In some cases, the medical device may be configured to reversibly and/or temporarily alter a compressive strength of at least a portion of the cut hypotube.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a nitric oxide-generating adherent coating, comprising: preparing a buffer solution containing polyphenol compounds, organic selenium or sulfur compounds and soluble copper salts; then contacting a base material with the solution, and washing and drying to obtain a target product. The nitric oxide-generating material prepared by the method can be used for any medical device, such as an intravascular stent, or materials and any complex-shaped base material, and has the capability of scavenging free radicals and catalyzing RSNO to produce nitrogen monoxide, and also has a response function of reduced glutathione (GSH), an antimicrobial function and all the physiological functions possessed by nitrogen monoxide.

A neurovascular catheter extension segment is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The neurovascular catheter extension segment includes 1) an elongate flexible control wire having a proximal end and a distal end and 2) a tubular extension segment having a side wall defining a central lumen carried by the distal end of the control wire. The side wall of the tubular extension segment includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, and an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil. The extension segment may be introduced into the proximal end of a neurovascular catheter and advanced distally to extend beyond the catheter and thereby extend the reach of the catheter.

A catheter that has a catheter tube everting inside-out during the process of catheterization is disclosed. The catheter tube has a plurality of longitudinal protrusions extending from the first end of the catheter tube through at least a portion of the catheter tube, and forming an angle of 0 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter tube and facing radially inwards, and provides for dilating a circumference of the catheter tube upon everting the catheter tube inside-out from the first end of the catheter tube.

A catheter assembly includes a catheter, a fluid containing sleeve, and a container. The catheter may include a tubular portion between a proximal end and a distal end, a coating on a length of the tubular portion, and at least one drainage opening on the distal end. The fluid containing sleeve is designed for arrangement on the tubular portion to maintain the coating in a hydrated state. The container may have at least one foil inner layer containing therein the catheter and the fluid containing sleeve. Substantially or nearly all fluid contained in the container may be disposed in the fluid containing sleeve.

The embodiments presented herein relate to concepts designed to eliminate the gap between a catheter and guide wire that can otherwise contribute to a catheter getting stuck within the vasculature.