Enhanced Pre-Wetted Intermittent Catheter With Lubricious Coating

Abstract

A pre-wetted intermittent catheter apparatus including a container, a conduit positioned within the container, and a wetting fluid disposed within the container. The container may have a proximal end section, a distal end section, and a middle section connecting the proximal end section to the distal end section. The middle section may have a plurality of pleats along a collapsible section, the collapsible section having a first expanded length and a second collapsed length less than the first expanded length. The conduit may have a proximal end fixed to the proximal end section, a distal end slidably positioned with respect to the container at the distal end section, and a coating disposed on an outer surface thereof.

1 . A catheter apparatus, comprising:
 a container including:
 a proximal end section; 
 a distal end section; and 
 a middle section connecting the proximal end section to the distal end section, the middle section including a plurality of pleats along a collapsible section, the collapsible section having a first expanded length and a second collapsed length less than the first expanded length; 
   a conduit positioned within the container, the conduit including:
 a proximal end fixed to the proximal end section; 
 a distal end slidably positioned with respect to the container at the distal end section; and 
 a coating disposed on an outer surface thereof; and 
   a wetting fluid disposed within the container.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container proximal end section is connected to a disposal member, and wherein a lumen of the conduit is in fluid communication with the disposal member. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an introduction member connected to the container distal end section, the introduction member including a tip that extends through an opening in the container distal end section. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the conduit distal end includes an atraumatic tip that is aligned with the opening in the container distal end section. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the conduit distal end is positioned within the introduction member. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible container comprises a generally tubular outer surface with a plurality of pleats. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a gas impermeable material. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cap configured to attach to the container distal end section, the cap including a removal feature. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disposal member including a funnel portion extending from the container proximal end. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disposal member including a distal member positioned within the container, the conduit proximal end being in sealing connection with the disposal member distal portion. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a disposal member including a disposable bag. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the disposable bag comprises a drain port for draining the contents of said bag. 
     
     
         13 . A packaged catheter apparatus, comprising the catheter apparatus according to  claim 1  and a sterile package. 
     
     
         14 . The packaged catheter apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a disposable bag. 
     
     
         15 . The packaged catheter apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the sterile package comprises a gas permeable material, at least a portion of the gas permeable material being transparent.