The invention relates to an endoscope shaft 1 having a layered structure. In this shaft 1, formed as a curved or non-curved hollow cylinder, various layers succeed and enclose one another radially over the entire length or a substantial part of the length of the shaft. The shaft has an inner layer 2 of plastic, and an outer layer 3 of plastic enclosing the inner layer 2, and a structuring layer 4 in the transition region 5 of the inner layer and the outer layer 3. The plastics of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 are different, and the inner layer and the outer layer 3 mesh together in the transition region 5. Thus, the inner layer and the outer layer 3 can connect to each other particularly well, and a delamination of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 can thus be prevented. This is specifically because the interface between the inner layer and the outer layer 3 is enlarged, in relation to the prior art, by the mutual meshing 6. Moreover, the geometry of the mutual meshing creates a particularly stable and durable mechanical connection between the layers 2, 3 and 4, which allows forces to be transmitted from one of the layers 2, 3, 4 to another in a particularly reliable and permanent manner, as a result of which undesired delamination is prevented, in particular in flexible endoscope shafts 1. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an endoscope shaft 1 according to the invention.

The invention relates to an endoscope shaft 1 having a layered structure. In this shaft 1, formed as a curved or non-curved hollow cylinder, various layers succeed and enclose one another radially over the entire length or a substantial part of the length of the shaft. The shaft has an inner layer 2 of plastic, and an outer layer 3 of plastic enclosing the inner layer 2, and a structuring layer 4 in the transition region 5 of the inner layer and the outer layer 3. The plastics of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 are different, and the inner layer and the outer layer 3 mesh together in the transition region 5. Thus, the inner layer and the outer layer 3 can connect to each other particularly well, and a delamination of the inner layer and of the outer layer 3 can thus be prevented. This is specifically because the interface between the inner layer and the outer layer 3 is enlarged, in relation to the prior art, by the mutual meshing 6. Moreover, the geometry of the mutual meshing creates a particularly stable and durable mechanical connection between the layers 2, 3 and 4, which allows forces to be transmitted from one of the layers 2, 3, 4 to another in a particularly reliable and permanent manner, as a result of which undesired delamination is prevented, in particular in flexible endoscope shafts 1. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an endoscope shaft 1 according to the invention.

Medical devices that are formed from a polymeric matrix including a first polymer and a functionalized polymer are provided. The medical devices may include a functionalized polymer such as maleic anhydride functionalized polymer. The burst strength and/or the hoop strength of the medical devices including the functionalized polymer may be greater than the burst strength and/or the hoop strength of control medical devices. However, the durometer of the medical devices may be substantially equal to the durometer of the control medical devices. Methods of manufacturing medical devices including a functionalized polymer are also provided.

The present invention relates to a medical device to be applied to a body of a human or animal being. The medical device comprises a contact surface to contact the body of the human or animal being when the medical device is applied to the body of the human or animal being. The contact surface is covered with a soluble surface sealing. The surface sealing is composed of an organic compound.

The present invention relates to the use of a copolymer containing polyether blocks and polyamide blocks for manufacturing an inflatable catheter element, such as a catheter balloon, with improved bursting strength, in which said copolymer has the following characteristics: a number-average molecular mass of the PE blocks greater than 500 g/mol, and a number-average molecular mass of the PA blocks greater than 10,000 g/mol.

A medical device includes: a substrate layer; an adhesive layer formed on at least a part of the substrate layer and containing a hydrophilic copolymer (1) containing a structural unit derived from a polymerizable monomer (A) having a sulfobetaine structure, a structural unit derived from a polymerizable monomer (B) having at least one group selected from the group consisting of a sulfonic acid group (—SO.sub.3H), a sulfuric acid group (—OSO.sub.3H), a sulfurous acid group (—OSO.sub.2H), and salt groups thereof, and a structural unit derived from a polymerizable monomer (C) having a photoreactive group; and a surface lubricious layer formed on at least a part of the adhesive layer and containing a polymer containing a structural unit derived from acrylamide and a hydrophilic copolymer (2).

Hydration mediums, assemblies containing hydration mediums and methods of making the same are disclosed. The hydration mediums are intended for hydrating or wetting a medical device such as a catheter and comprise a hydration foam. Furthermore, methods and products involving hydrophilic substances are disclosed e.g. involving mucilage, deep eutectic liquids, antifreeze substances or cryoprotectants, oil or a hydration medium together with water, surfactant, polyol and stabilizer.

A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

A medical device comprising a surface, wherein a sulfanilamide is associated with the surface, and methods for making the same.