CATHETER ASSEMBLIES HAVING A PROTECTIVE LUBRICIOUS SLEEVE

摘要

A catheter assembly(lO) includes a protective tip (14) defining an interior chamber (20) between its proximal and distal ends. A protective lubricious sleeve (24) is positioned within the interior chamber. A catheter (12) of the assembly is configured to be advanced proximally into and through the interior chamber to position at least a portion of the catheter within the protective sleeve, with the protective sleeve being retained upon the catheter as at least a proximal portion of the catheter exits the proximal end of the protective tip and is advanced through a body lumen. A second sleeve (106) may be associated with the protective tip and configured to extend distally from the protective tip to remain outside of the body lumen during use and receive a more distal portion of the catheter.