# US 10,946,120 B2 · Lubricious urinary catheters having varying flexibility

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- Number: US 10,946,120 B2
- Document ID: US10946120B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/543,839
- Filed: 2016-01-20
- Published: 2017-12-28
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2015-01-22
- Assignees: Hollister Incorporated
- Applicants: Hollister Incorporated
- Inventors: Horacio Montes de Oca
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946120B2

## CPC

- A61L 29/041: {obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds}
- A61L 29/141: {Plasticizers}
- A61M 25/0054: {with regions for increasing flexibility}
- A61M 27/00: Drainage appliance for wounds or the like {, i.e. wound drains, implanted drains} ({negative pressure wound therapy devices A61M1/90;} implements for holding wound open A61B17/02 {; middle ear drainage A61F11/202})
- A61M 25/0017: {specially adapted for long-term hygiene care, e.g. urethral or indwelling catheters to prevent infections}
- A61M 2210/1096: Male
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A catheter having a shaft made from polyvinyl alcohol where in the shaft has a varying stiffness along the length of the shaft.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A urinary catheter, comprising:
a shaft consisting of polyvinyl alcohol and plasticizing agent, the shaft including a first section having a first stiffness and a second section having a second stiffness;
wherein at least one of said sections is impregnated with the plasticizing agent, the plasticizing agent comprising propylene glycol.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein the first section has greater stiffness than the second section.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein the second section has a greater stiffness than the first section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein the first section is impregnated with the plasticizing agent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The urinary catheter of claim 4, wherein the plasticizing agent lubricates the catheter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein the second section is impregnated with the plasticizing agent.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein the plasticizing agent further comprises a solvent for polyvinyl alcohol.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The urinary catheter of claim 7, wherein the plasticizing agent comprises water.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The urinary catheter of claim 7, wherein the ratio of the solvent to propylene glycol is one of 100 vol % propylene glycol and 0 vol % solvent; 90 vol % propylene glycol and 10 vol % solvent; 80 vol % propylene glycol and 20 vol % solvent; and 70 vol % propylene glycol and 30 vol % solvent.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The urinary catheter of claim 9, wherein the solvent comprises water.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The urinary catheter of claim 1, wherein
the first section of the shaft having an amount of the plasticizing agent impregnated therein; and
the second section of the shaft having a second amount of the plasticizing agent impregnated therein, wherein the second amount of the plasticizing agent is different from the first amount.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The urinary catheter of claim 11, wherein the plasticizing agent further comprises a solvent for polyvinyl alcohol.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The urinary catheter of claim 12, wherein the plasticizing agent comprises water.

### Claim 14

A method of making a catheter of varying stiffness comprising:
immersing a first section of a catheter consisting of polyvinyl alcohol in a first plasticizing agent; and
immersing a second section of the catheter consisting of polyvinyl alcohol in a second plasticizing agent;
wherein at least one of the first and second plasticizing agent comprises propylene glycol.