CATHETER HAVING LUBRICATED OUTER SLEEVE AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING SAME

摘要

An elongated catheter having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface defines a lumen passing through the catheter. The catheter further including an enclosed cavity between the interior and exterior surfaces which encircles of the lumen. The cavity having an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being a resilient sleeve which can stretch generally independently of the inner wall. The cavity containing an amount of a suitable lubricating substance effective to permit the resilient sleeve to slide along an outer surface of the inner wall while in lubricated contact therewith when stretched independently of the inner wall, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are joined together at distal end proximal ends of the enclosed cavity. An automated method for producing the same, including a series of automated dipping steps, is also disclosed. A "Foley" catheter having a balloon portion and a lubricated resilient sleeve, as disclosed above, is also disclosed, as are methods for manufacturing the same.