A vapor hydrated packaged catheter assembly (10) and method of manufacturing and distributing same includes a gas impermeable package housing a catheter (14) within a catheter-receiving-cavity. The catheter assembly has a hydrophilic coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of a catheter tube or shaft which may be surrounded by a sleeve (20) to provide a no-touch, sure grip feature. The catheter assembly is disposed within the catheter receiving cavity of the package together with a limited amount of a vapor donating liquid provided as a source of vapor to activate the hydrophilic coating. The amount of vapor donating liquid is less than the amount that would otherwise be sufficient to cause a spill hazard. It may be loose liquid as a desired percentage of the volume of a tube- receiving portion of the catheter receiving cavity of the package, or it may be contained in a liquid sequestering element. The activation of at least some of the hydrophilic coating occurs solely by reason of exposure of the outer surface of the catheter to a vapor produced by the vapor donating liquid. The distribution of the catheter following manufacture is delayed for a time sufficient to permit the vapor to complete hydration of the entire hydrophilic coating on the surface.L'invention concerne un ensemble cathéter emballé à hydratation par vapeur et un procédé de production et de distribution associés, ledit ensemble comprenant un emballage imperméable au gaz logeant un cathéter à l'intérieur d'une cavité de réception de cathéter. Cet ensemble cathéter comprend un revêtement hydrophile appliqué sur au moins une partie de la surface extérieure d'un tube ou d'une tige de cathéter pouvant être entourée par un manchon fournissant une prise sûre sans contact. Ledit ensemble cathéter est disposé au sein de la cavité de réception de cathéter avec une quantité limitée de liquide produisant de la vapeur qui fait office de source de vapeur afin d'activer le revêtement hydroph
