Catheter assembly and a method and system for producing such an assembly

Abstract

A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a catheter, such as a urinary catheter, which at least a partly is provided with a hydrophilic coating. The catheter assembly further comprises a wetting fluid. The receptacle is in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter over essentially the entire length of the part of the catheter being provided with the hydrophilic coating. This may e.g. be achieved by using a shrink wrap material. In order to accomplish adequate wetting, channels or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the receptacle or the outer surface of the catheter.

1 . A catheter assembly comprising:
 a catheter, at least a part of which is provided with a hydrophilic coating;   a wetting fluid; and   a receptacle enclosing the wetting fluid and at least the part of the catheter being provided with the hydrophilic coating;   wherein the receptacle is in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter over essentially the entire length of said part of the catheter being provided with the hydrophilic coating.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the direct contact between the hydrophilic coating and the receptacle occurs in a number of contact points being distributed around the circumference of the catheter, said contact points being discrete contact points or contact points being continuously connected. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the contact points are evenly distributed around the circumference of the catheter. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the receptacle facing the hydrophilic coating and the outer surface of the hydrophilic coating, facing the receptacle comprises a surface texture forming channels between the receptacle and the hydrophilic coating, the areas between the channels forming areas of direct contact between the receptacle and the hydrophilic coating. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a substantial part of the hydrophilic coating is in direct contact with the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least 20% of the area of the hydrophilic coating is in direct contact with the receptacle, and preferably at least 30%, and most preferably at least 50%. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle comprises a shrink-wrap film or package. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle is provided with areas or lines of weakness for facilitating opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wetting fluid is arranged separate from the hydrophilic coating, said wetting fluid being releasable for wetting of the hydrophilic coating before use. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter assembly of any one of the  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the wetting fluid is arranged in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating, maintaining the hydrophilic in a wetted state. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the catheter is a urinary catheter. 
     
     
         12 . A method for manufacturing a catheter assembly, comprising the steps:
 providing a hydrophilic catheter;   providing a wetting fluid;   arranging a receptacle around the wetting fluid and at least a part of the catheter; and   applying heat to the receptacle, thereby making it shrink, whereby the receptacle, at least partly comes into direct contact with the catheter.   
     
     
         13 . A system for manufacturing a catheter assembly, comprising:
 means for enclosing a wetting fluid and a hydrophilic catheter in a receptacle; and   means for applying heat to the receptacle, thereby making it shrink, whereby the receptacle, at least partly comes into direct contact with the catheter.