Abstract:
Slippery, hydrophilic coating compositions of a polyurethane/urea prepolymer adduct intermediate commingled with at least one dissimilar hydrogel polymer precursor, and materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metallic substrate with a slippery hydrogel coating of a polyurethane/urea prepolymer adduct intermediate and at least one dissimilar hydrogel thereon, such that the coating composition tenaciously adheres to the substrate, are disclosed. The coating compositions and coated materials are non-toxic and biocompatible, and are ideally suited for use on medical devices, particularly, catheters, catheter balloons and stents. The coating compositions, coated materials and coated devices demonstrate low coefficients of friction in contact with body fluids, especially blood, as well as a high degree of wear permanence over prolonged use of the device. The hydrogel coatings are capable of being dried to facilitate storage of the devices to which they have been applied, and can be instantly reactivated for later use by exposure to water.
Abstract:
Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body and delivery of x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a connector, the vacuum housing, an anode and a cathode having a granular surface and being composed of a material that allows it to act as a getter. The cathode may also contain diamond material in one embodiment.
Abstract:
A dilation-drug delivery catheter comprises a dilation portion for dilating a stenosis and a drug delivery portion for delivering antithrombolytic, antiproliferative, or any other type of medication, to the dilation site. The drug delivery portion of the catheter is located within the dilation portion, which can be retracted to reveal the drug delivery portion, after dilation. Occlusion balloons are preferably provided on the drug delivery portion to isolate the dilation site during drug delivery.
Abstract:
A dilatation balloon is fabricated according to a process that yields high hoop strength and uniformity in balloon wall thickness. A length of tubing is axially elongated and radially expanded in a form to provide the requisite biaxial orientation and strength. Then, an excimer laser is used to remove the polymeric material by photo-chemical ablation, virtually without thermal effects. Dilatation balloon walls are thinned primarily along tapered sections between proximal and distal balloon stems and a medial working section of the balloon. Material removal, particularly near the balloon stems, enables tighter wrapping of the balloon for a reduced delivery profile, and reduces rigidity near the stems for better maneuverability of the catheter in tortuous passageways. The balloon tapered sections are reduced to a wall thickness substantially equal to that of the medial section. Alternatively, an array of grooves is formed in each tapered section.
Abstract:
A process for preparing coating compositions of a commingled hydrogel of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer hydrogel and at least one other polymer hydrogel of a polymer different from polyurethane-polyurea; a process for making materials composed of a polymeric plastic or rubber substrate or a metallic substrate, with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon; and a process for making medical devices with a coating of the commingled hydrogel thereon, are disclosed. The coating compositions tenaciously adhere to the substrate materials and medical devices to which they are applied due to bonding of a tie coat to a reactive substrate surface and due to the commingling of the two hydrogel components. The coating compositions and coated materials and medical devices are non-toxic and biocompatible, making them ideally suited for use in applications such as for catheters, catheter balloons and stents. In such applications, the coating compositions, coated materials, and coated medical devices made therefrom demonstrate low coefficients of friction in contact with body fluids, especially blood, as well as a high degree of wear permanence over prolonged use. The commingled hydrogel coatings are capable of being dried to facilitate storage of the devices to which they have been applied, and can be instantly reactivated for later use by exposure to water.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a flexible tubular member containing a shape-memory tube formed to include a lumen extending along the central axis of the tubular member. A liner sleeve extends through the lumen of the shape-memory tube and lies inside the tubular member. A control system selectively heats the shape-memory tube to its activated state causing the shape-memory tube to move toward a predetermined shape if it is different than its present configuration. Whether the shape-memory tube moves or not, it will increase significantly in stiffness, both axial and bending to help retain, hold, or wedge the apparatus in place in a selected body cavity while catheters or other objects are passed through a lumen in the liner sleeve.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an angioplasty device that is formed from a hollow metallic tube, a balloon affixed adjacent the distal end of the tube and being in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube, a flexible distal segment connected to the distal end of the tube and a removable hub connected adjacent to the proximal end of the tube. The tube is preferably formed from a superelastic material such as nickel-titanium alloy. This invention also relates to various methods of using this angioplasty device.
Abstract:
A process for assembling a balloon catheter involves selectively concentrating laser energy along an annular fusion bond site at contiguous surface portions of a length of catheter tubing and a shaft or neck portion of a dilatation balloon. The laser energy wavelength, and the polymeric materials of the balloon and catheter, are matched for high absorption of the laser energy to minimize conductive heat transfer in axial directions away from the bond site. This minimizes crystallization and stiffening in regions near the bond site, permitting fusion bonds to be located close to the proximal and distal cones of the dilatation balloon while preserving the soft, pliant quality of the cones. The disclosure further is directed to an embodiment of a balloon catheter assembled according to the process.