Catheters having low viscosity lubricant

Abstract

A closed-system urinary catheter with a low viscosity gel lubrication is disclosed. The system has an uncoated catheter, but a hydrophilic coated catheter could be used. The low viscosity lubricating gel within the sachet uniformly coats the catheter when the sachet is ruptured just prior to use. A low viscosity lubrication gel could alternatively be place in the area inside the sheath and external to the catheter. Therefore, the variability that occurs with a hydrophilic catheter or the areas of a non-lubricated catheter with the higher viscosity gel catheters is avoided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catheter system for draining a fluid, the system comprising:
 a catheter having an uncoated surface;   an introducer coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the introducer having a tip which is covered by a lubricant with a viscosity of greater than 2,000 cP;   a sheath surrounding the catheter, the sheath containing a water-based gel having a viscosity of less than 2,000 cP.   
     
     
         2 . The system in  claim 1 , further comprising a collection bag positioned at one end of the catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The system in  claim 2 , further comprising finger holes positioned in the collection bag to facilitate in opening of the collection bag. 
     
     
         4 . The system in  claim 2 , further comprising a hook positioned near the connection of the catheter to the collection bag. 
     
     
         5 . The system in  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate stem insertable into the introducer. 
     
     
         6 . The system in  claim 5 , further comprising a stopper coupled to a distal end of the elongate stem, the stopper sealing a distal portion of the introducer. 
     
     
         7 . The system in  claim 6 , further comprising a cap coupled to a proximal end of the elongate stem such that the cap covers the introducer tip protruding from a proximal end of the introducer; and wherein the lubricant is contained within the cap and covers the introducer tip when within the bell cap. 
     
     
         8 . The system in  claim 7 , wherein the cap and stopper seal the introducer when coupled with the introducer. 
     
     
         9 . The system in  claim 6 , wherein the stopper is substantially spherical. 
     
     
         10 . The system in  claim 6 , wherein the stopper is a radial flange. 
     
     
         11 . The system in  claim 10 , wherein the radial flange has a beveled edge. 
     
     
         12 . The system in  claim 6 , wherein the distal opening releasably engages with the stopper. 
     
     
         13 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 15,000 -30,000 cP. 
     
     
         14 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 18,000 -26,500 cP. 
     
     
         15 . A catheter system for draining a fluid, the system comprising:
 a catheter having an uncoated surface;   an introducer coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the introducer having a tip which is covered by a lubricant with a viscosity of greater than 2,000 cP;   a sheath surrounding the catheter, the sheath containing a water-based gel having a viscosity of less than 2,000 cP; and   a collection bag positioned at one of the catheter.   
     
     
         16 . The system in  claim 15 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 15,000 -30,000 cP. 
     
     
         17 . The system in  claim 15 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 18,000 -26,500 cP. 
     
     
         18 . A catheter system for draining a fluid, the system comprising:
 a catheter having an uncoated surface;   a sheath surrounding the catheter, the sheath containing a water-based gel having a viscosity of less than 2,000 cP;   a collection bag positioned at one of the catheter; and   an introducer coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the introducer having a tip which is covered by a lubricant with a viscosity of greater than 2,000 cP, the introducer in liquid communication with a volume between the sheath and the catheter.   
     
     
         19 . The system in  claim 18 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 15,000 -30,000 cP. 
     
     
         20 . The system in  claim 18 , wherein the lubricant has a viscosity of 18,000 -26,500 cP.