Preparation of hydrophilic coatings utilizing a 1,3-dioxolane compound

A method for the preparation of a package comprising a packing means holding a medical device element of a substrate polymer, said substrate polymer having on at least a part of the surface thereof a hydrophilic coating, said method comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing a medical device element comprising a substrate polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and polyvinylchloride,
• (ii) providing a polymer solution comprising 0.1-20% by weight of a hydrophilic polymer selected from the groups consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene oxide, 0-10% by weight of additive(s), and the balance of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising 50-100% by weight of an optionally substituted 1,3-dioxolane compound, with the proviso that the hydrophilic polymer is not polyethylene oxide when the substrate polymer is polyvinylchloride,
• (iii) applying said polymer solution to the surface of said substrate polymer, thereby forming a non-cross-linked hydrophilic coating on at least a part of the surface of the substrate polymer,
• (iv) evaporating at least a part of the vehicle, and
• (v) arranging said medical device element having the coating of the non-cross-linked hydrophilic polymer within a packing means, and sealing said packing means.