Catheter

• US 5,201,724 A
• Filed: 07/23/1992
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Victoria University of Manchester
• Original Assignee: The Victoria University of Manchester
• Inventors: Capstick, Ian, Hukins, David W., Bibby, Joanna M., Sutton, Terence M., Cox, Averil J.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US07/917,225
• Time in Patent Office: 264 Days
• Field of Search: 604/265, 604/266, 604/264, 604/280, 604/285, 424/422, 424/423, 424/426
• US Class Current: 604/265
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/104 Silver, e.g. silver sulfadiazine
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/206 Biguanides, e.g. chlorohexidine
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/21 Acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/404 Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/604 Biodegradation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/62 Encapsulated active agents, e.g. emulsified droplets
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/085 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L29/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0056 provided with an antibacterial agent, e.g. by coating, residing in the polymer matrix or releasing an agent out of a reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/00 Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of polyester-amides C08L77/12; of polyester-imides C08L79/08; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers

Abstract

A medical catheter, for example, for drainage of a bodily fluid such as urine, includes a biodegradable portion which place in a body cavity, and thereby resists infection or the formation of encrustation or blockages normally associated with indwelling catheters.

Claims

1. A catheter for drainage or collection of a bodily fluid, which catheter comprises a tube of non-biodegradable flexible material having a portion which throughout its period of use is retained within a body cavity, characterized in that at least part of the said portion supports within the tube a solid biodegradable material which encapsulates or provides a medically beneficial substance which is thus released as a result of biodegradation, such that a controlled and continuous release of biodegradation products takes place throughout the said period when retained within the body cavity.

2. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that biodegradable material is in the form of a multiplicity of layers within the tube.

3. A catheter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the tube also supports one or more additives which effect a medicating treatment within the body cavity.

4. A catheter as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the or each additive is selected from citric acid, tartaric acid, acetohydroxamic acid, chlorhexidine and silver compounds.

5. A catheter as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the or each additive is absorbed in the biodegradable material.

6. A catheter as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the biodegradable material encapsulates the or each additive.

7. A catheter as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the or each additive is impregnated in the material of the catheter.

8. A catheter as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the tube supports a layer of porous material and the or each additive is impregnated in the porous layer.

9. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the tube supports a layer of porous material and the biodegradable material is impregnated in the porous layer.

10. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is a lining within the tube.

11. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is a patch or patches on the inner surface of the tube.

12. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is a stripe or stripes running along the inner surface of the tube.

13. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is in the form of a plug or plugs in the tube.

14. A catheter as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the biodegradable material is in the form of a plug located within the catheter tube at or immediately adjacent to the distal end thereof and securely attached thereto.

15. A catheter as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the plug is a solid piece of biodegradable material.

16. A catheter as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the plug is a shell of biodegradable material directly encapsulating a medicating additive.

17. A catheter as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the plug is a shell of biodegradable material enclosing a solid material impregnated with a medicating additive.

18. A catheter as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the tube has an inner annulus adjacent to the plug.

19. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is secured by adhesive means.

20. A catheter as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that a bonding aid is employed in association with the adhesive.

21. A catheter as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the biodegradable material is of a type which degrades within the body cavity to effect a medicating treatment.

22. A catheter as claimed in claim 21, characterised in that the biodegradable material is selected from polylactides, polyglycolides and polybutyrates.