Flushable catheter and method for producing such a catheter

摘要

A flushable medical device for short term use, such as a urinary catheter, is disclosed, and also a method for producing such a medical device. The medical device comprises at least an elongate shaft made of a degradable material, the degradability being such that the material becomes essentially totally dissolved if maintained in turbulent water at room temperature for at least 6 hours, but retains its structural integrity in water for at least 5 minutes, and preferably at least 10 minutes. Hereby, the medical device can be used for the intended short term use, and then be flushed in an ordinary toilet after use.;The degradable material preferably comprises at least one of monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide and polysaccharide. In a preferred embodiment, the degradable material primarily comprises water, at least one of sugar and starch and gelatin.

主权项

1. A flushable urinary catheter for short term use, said urinary catheter comprising:
an elongate shaft for insertion into a body passageway, wherein at least the elongate shaft is made of a degradable material, said degradable material comprising at least 40% by weight of monosaccharide and/or disaccharide, the degradability being such that the material becomes essentially totally dissolved if maintained in turbulent water at room temperature for 6 hours, but retains its structural integrity in water for at least 5 minutes.