Silicone foley catheters possessing improved surface morphology, at least the surface of the catheter to be inserted in the body having bonded thereto the reaction product of a composition comprising:(1) at least one crosslinkable polysiloxane;(2) an innocuous lubricating agent; and(3) a crosslinking agentPreferably, the lubricating agent is a medical grade lubricating oil.
Claims
We claim:

1. A silicone foley catheter having improved surface morphology, said catheter having a portion thereof adapted for insertion in the body, at least the said portion of said catheterhaving chemically bonded through crosslinking to the surface thereof a smooth continuous outer layer comprising a crosslinked polysiloxane, said outer layer further including an innocuous lubricating agent.

2. A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein said lubricating agent is an oil.

3. A catheter as defined in claim 2 wherein said oil is a medical grade silicone oil.

4. A catheter as defined in claim 1 wherein said chemically bonded outer layer is provided by effectively crosslinking a composition comprising a crosslinkable polysiloxane, and innocuous medical grade lubricating oil and a crosslinkingcatalyst.

5. A catheter as defined in claim 4 where in said polysiloxane comprises dimethyl polysiloxane.

6. A catheter as defined in claim 4 wherein said lubricating oil is a silicone oil.

7. A catheter as defined in claim 1, wherein said catheter is a Foley catheter.

8. A Foley silicone rubber urethal catheter having improved surface morphology, said Foley catheter having a portion thereof adapted for insertion into the urethal, at least the said portion of said Foley catheter having been chemically bondedthrough crosslinking to the surface thereof to constitute a smooth continuous lubricious outer layer comprising a crosslinkable poly siloxane.

9. A process of improving the surface morphology of a silicone foley catheter having a portion thereof adapted for insertion in the body, comprising the steps of applying to the surface of at least the said portion a composition comprising acrosslinkable polysiloxane, a lubricating agent and a crosslinking agent in a liquid vehicle; and thereafter heating said portion at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove said liquid vehicle and to chemically bond through crosslinking to thesurface of said portion the crosslinkable polysiloxane, thereby providing an improved catheter surface which is a smooth, continuous outer layer.

10. A process as defined i claim 9 wherein said liquid vehicle is a volatile organic solvent for said composition.

11. A process as defined in claim 10 wherein said lubricating agent is an oil.

12. A process as defined in claim 11 wherein said oil is a medical grade silicone oil.

13. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein said catheter is indwelling.

14. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein said catheter is a urethral catheter.

15. A process as defined in claim 12 wherein said catheter is a Foley Catheter.