MEDICAL DEVICES WITH INCREASED ULTRASOUND VISIBILITY

摘要

Embryo transfer catheters have been proposed containing gas bubbles to increase visibility under ultrasound observation. In the present invention, the catheter or other medical device has a shaft extruded with two layers. The outer layer is relatively thick and contains gas bubbles sufficient to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound observation but with a density that allows material within the catheter to be viewed by the eye. The inner layer is relatively thin and is free of bubbles so that it provides a smooth bore to the catheter.