a sterile catheter formed of a biodegradable , biocompatible material for use in a continuous epidural anesthesia procedure . the epidural catheter has an effective lumen size and includes a flexible tube molded from a synthetic polymer which is absorbable in living tissue . the catheter is characterized as being dimensionally and structurally stable within the body for the duration of surgery and into the postoperative period and absorbable without causing any unfavorable tissue reaction .