A
catheter assembly is disclosed comprising: a hydrophilic
catheter; a
wetting fluid for
wetting of the
catheter; and a receptacle enclosing at least the insertable part of the catheter and the
wetting fluid. Further, the wetting fluid is a solution incorporating at least one osmolality-increasing compound, and the total concentration of the osmolality-increasing compound(s) is very high, preferably exceeding 600 mOsm / dm3. The wetting fluid could either be arranged in contact with the hydrophilic
surface layer of the catheter in the receptacle, for preservation of the hydrophilic
surface layer in a wetted state during
accommodation in said receptacle and provision of a ready-to-use catheter
assembly, or be arranged to keep the wetting fluid separated from the hydrophilic
surface layer of the catheter during storage, but to be brought into contact with said hydrophilic surface layer upon activation before an intended use of the catheter. A similar method and wetting fluid is disclosed as well. The provision of the osmolality-increasing compound in the wetting fluid provides several advantages per se, such as a improved properties of the
hydrophilic coating, a more predictable and controllable wetting process, a more expedient and cost efficient production, etc. Further, the use of this very
high concentration of osmolality-increasing compound in the wetting fluid has proven remarkably efficient.