Abstract:
A medical electrical lead includes an insulative lead body extending from a distal region to a proximal region, a conductor disposed within the insulative lead body and extending from the proximal region to the distal region, an electrode disposed on the insulative lead body and in electrical contact with the conductor, and a fibrous matrix disposed on at least part of the electrode. The fibrous matrix includes fibers. The fibers include a polyvinylidene fluoride-based (PVDF-based) polymer and a crystal-modifying additive. The PVDF-based polymer includes an amorphous PVDF phase and a crystalline PVDF phase. The crystalline PVDF phase includes a beta form crystalline structure in an amount exceeding any other crystalline structure form in the crystalline PVDF phase.
Abstract:
A method of making a solution including a block copolymer includes dissolving the block copolymer in a solvent mixture to form a solution, the solvent mixture including at least two solvent components. The solubility of the block copolymer in the solvent mixture is at least about 7 wt. % at about 64 °C. The solvent mixture is non-reactive with the block copolymer. The solubility of the block copolymer in a single solvent solution consisting of any one of the at least two solvent components and the block copolymer is not greater than about 1 wt. % at about 64 °C. The block copolymer includes polyisobutylene segments and polyurethane segments.
Abstract:
A method for making a tubular medical device having a hybrid polymeric structure includes forming a first layer comprising a non-woven fibrous matrix made of a first polymeric material and forming a second layer comprising a second polymeric material about the first layer such that at least a portion of the second polymeric material of the second layer embeds into at least a portion of the first polymeric material of the first layer.