A medical device may include a catheter, an expandable member, a cover, and an actuator. The catheter may include a longitudinal axis, proximal and distal ends, and a cover lumen extending from the proximal to the distal end. The expandable member may include proximal and distal ends and may be disposed on a distal section of the catheter. The cover may include a first region that may be disposed along the expandable member, and a second region that may extend along a length of the catheter beyond the proximal end of the expandable member towards the proximal end of the catheter. A first end of the cover may invert into the cover lumen. The actuator may be coupled to the first end of the cover and configured to move the first end of the cover towards the proximal end of the catheter along the longitudinal axis of the catheter.

Urinary catheters and methods for preventing bacterial infections.

Urinary catheters and methods for preventing bacterial infections.

Methods of varying the stiffness of polymeric medical tubes.

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 tubing assembly includes a signal generating apparatus for a catheter placement system. The tubing assembly includes a catheter and a signal generating apparatus. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a wall surrounding a lumen. The signal generating apparatus includes at least one electromagnetic coil and at least one electrically conductive polymer that is configured to electrically connect the at least one electromagnetic coil to a monitor unit.

A tubing assembly includes a signal generating apparatus for a catheter placement system. The tubing assembly includes a catheter and a signal generating apparatus. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a wall surrounding a lumen. The signal generating apparatus includes at least one electromagnetic coil and at least one electrically conductive polymer that is configured to electrically connect the at least one electromagnetic coil to a monitor unit.

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.