Catheter assembly

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tube has a substantially constant wall thickness.

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal profile comprises a step at a transition point along the length of the funnel and the projections are provided on both sides of the transition point.

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the projections have a radial length defined as the distance the projections extend from the internal tube in a radial direction and the radial length changes along the length of the funnel.

A catheter assembly according to claim 9 wherein changes in the radial length counter changes in the internal profile.

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the tube comprises two or more catheter receiving zones, wherein each catheter receiving zone is configured to receive a different type and/or size of catheter.

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of projections comprise a plurality of ribs.

A catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end, a wetting mechanism, a funnel, and a tubular sleeve,

• wherein the wetting mechanism and funnel are provided at either end of the sleeve and the wetting mechanism, funnel and sleeve together define a cavity containing the catheter,
• wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a storage chamber configured to retain a wetting agent, the wetting mechanism is configured to release the wetting agent to wet the catheter in use, and
• wherein the funnel and wetting mechanism fit together to close the cavity with a push-fit.

A catheter assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the funnel comprises a closure element configured to inhibit liquid flow out of the funnel,

• wherein the catheter assembly is moveable from an open configuration in which liquid flow out of the funnel is permitted by the closure element to a closed configuration in which the closure element inhibits liquid flow out of the funnel, and wherein the closure element is connected to the funnel in both the open and closed configurations.

A catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end,

• and a funnel configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter, the funnel comprising a closure element configured to inhibit liquid flow out of the funnel,
• wherein the catheter assembly is moveable from an open configuration in which liquid flow out of the funnel is permitted by the closure element to a closed configuration in which the closure element inhibits liquid flow out of the funnel, and
• wherein the closure element is connected to the funnel in both the open and closed configurations.

A catheter assembly according to claim 46 wherein the one or more sealing protrusions

• comprise one or more sealing ribs 48. A catheter assembly according to claim 47 wherein the one or more sealing ribs preferably extend completely around the closure element in a ring shape.

A packaged catheter assembly comprising a sterile-sealed pouch containing the catheter assembly of any one of the preceding claims.

A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly comprising providing a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end, and forming a funnel configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter, wherein the funnel comprises a tube defining an internal profile of the funnel and a plurality of projections extending outward from the tube,

• wherein each projection comprises a tip distal from the tube and the tips of the projections together define at least part of an external profile of the funnel,
• wherein the internal profile comprises a stepped region and a corresponding region of the external profile is smooth.

A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly, the method comprising providing a catheter, a tubular sleeve, a wetting mechanism and a funnel, attaching the wetting mechanism and funnel to either end of the sleeve, and inserting the catheter into the sleeve such that a cavity is formed around the catheter by the wetting mechanism, sleeve and funnel, and the funnel is configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter, wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a storage chamber configured to retain a wetting agent, the wetting mechanism is configured to release the wetting agent to wet the catheter in use, and

• wherein the funnel and wetting mechanism are constructed to fit together to close the cavity with a push-fit.

A method of manufacturing a catheter assembly comprising, providing a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end, and forming a funnel configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter, and attaching the funnel to the distal end of the catheter, wherein the funnel comprises a closure element configured to inhibit liquid flow out of the funnel, wherein the catheter assembly is moveable from an open configuration in which liquid flow out of the funnel is permitted by the closure element to a closed configuration in which the closure element inhibits liquid flow out of the funnel, and wherein the closure element is connected to the funnel in both the open and closed configurations.

A method of stowing a catheter assembly after use, the catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end, a tubular sleeve, a wetting mechanism, and a funnel configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter,

• wherein the wetting mechanism and funnel are provided at either end of the sleeve,
• wherein the wetting mechanism comprises a storage chamber configured to retain a wetting agent, the wetting mechanism is configured to release the wetting agent to wet the catheter in use, and
• the method comprises push-fitting the funnel and wetting mechanism together to form a closed cavity around the catheter with the sleeve.

A method of stowing a catheter assembly after use, the catheter assembly comprising a catheter comprising a proximal end for insertion into the body and a distal end, and a funnel configured to direct liquid out of the distal end of the catheter, the method comprising moving a closure element of the funnel from an open configuration in which liquid flow out of the funnel is permitted by the closure element to a closed configuration in which the closure element inhibits liquid flow out of the funnel, wherein the funnel and closure element are connected in both the open and closed configurations.