摘要 |
A catheter having a relatively soft body formed of a hydrophobic elastomer and a tip portion coated with a water insoluble hydrophilic polymer grafted thereto to impart, in the dry state, rigidity to the tip portion. In use the hydrophilic coating absorbs or adsorbs water with resultant softening of the coating so as to render the tip portion soft. A method of facilitating placement of a catheter utilizing a transitorily rigidified tip portion is taught.
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