| abstract |
A new and improved catheter is disclosed which comprises a tube-like body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein at least the distal end of the catheter is formed out of a bioabsorbable material, whereby at least the distal end of the catheter will be naturally absorbed by the body after a predetermined period of time has passed so as to eliminated the need for a second, subsequent surgical procedure to remove at least the distal end of the catheter once it is no longer needed. The proximal end of the catheter may or may not be formed out of a bioabsorbable material, and the proximal end of the catheter may be adapted for positioning outside the body, or it may be adapted for positioning subcutaneously within the body. |