Urinary catheters having varying flexibility
US10029071B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2023/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A urinary catheter has a body and an outer layer surrounding at least a portion of the body. The structure of the body is varied and non-uniform so as to impart a varying flexibility along the length of the catheter. The frame may be injection molded, while the outer layer may be extruded. The frame may also, or alternatively, have selected regions or portions that include planar or spiral cuts or a coiled filament or corrugations or a multifilament braid or weave or mesh to impart a desired flexibility profile. The flexibility profile of a male urinary catheter may include alternating rigid and flexible regions, with proximal and distal rigid regions being configured to be positioned within the bladder and penis, with two flexible regions separated by a rigid region positioned between the penis and bladder when the catheter is deployed within a male urethra.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.