Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221550 | RAPID EXCHANGE INFUSION CATHETER - An infusion catheter and method, with an elongated shaft having a guidewire lumen which has a proximal section and a common distal section extending to a distal port at a distal end of the shaft, and an infusion lumen which is in fluid communication with the distal port of the guidewire lumen and which joins the common distal section of the guidewire lumen at a location distal to the guidewire proximal port. A restricted passage from the infusion lumen to the common distal section of the guidewire lumen has a smaller transverse dimension than the guidewire lumen and a guidewire slidably disposed in the guidewire lumen. | 09-11-2008 |
20080245474 | MEDICAL DEVICE CHEMICALLY MODIFIED BY PLASMA POLYMERIZATION - Medical devices, and particularly intracorporeal devices for therapeutic or diagnostic uses, having a component chemically modified by plasma polymerization. The medical device comprises a substrate with a plasma polymerized functionality bonded to a surface of at least a section thereof. The plasma polymerized film on a first component of the medical device allows for bonding an agent or a second component to the first component. In one embodiment, the plasma polymerized film facilitates fusion or adhesive bonding of a first component to a second component formed of a material which is dissimilar to, incompatible with, or otherwise not readily bondable to the substrate material of the first component. In another embodiment, a bioactive agent is bonded to the plasma polymerized film on the component, for presenting or delivering the bioactive agent within a body lumen of the patient. | 10-09-2008 |
20080262470 | CATHETER HAVING A READILY BONDABLE MULTILAYER SOFT TIP - A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon. | 10-23-2008 |
20090041923 | MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING A LUBRICIOUS COATING WITH A HYDROPHILIC COMPOUND IN AN INTERLOCKING NETWORK - A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of a hydrophilic compound cross-linked to itself and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating. | 02-12-2009 |
20090062835 | CATHETER HAVING AN IMPROVED DISTAL TIP - An elongated balloon catheter having a distal tip member on the distal end of the catheter and having a sleeve surrounding and secured at least to the proximal end of the distal tip member. | 03-05-2009 |
20090247946 | CATHETER WITH A MULTILAYERED SHAFT SECTION HAVING A POLYIMIDE LAYER - A catheter having an multilayered shaft section with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a second material. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. However, in alternative embodiments, a thermoplastic polyimide is used. The thermoset polyimide has a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 400° C. (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry), and excellent dimensional stability at the processing temperature of polyamides commonly used in catheter components. As a result, during formation and assembly of the catheter, production of a thin polyimide layer with controlled dimensions is facilitated. The polyimide has a high modulus and provides a thin walled yet highly pushable shaft section, while the second layer provides kink resistance. In one embodiment, the second material is selected from the group consisting of a polyamide material and a polyurethane material. | 10-01-2009 |
20090326574 | DEVICE FOR TREATING VULNERABLE PLAQUE - A method of treating vulnerable plaque comprising intentionally damaging or rupturing the vulnerable plaque using a wingless balloon which is inflated from a wingless unexpanded diameter to a limited expanded diameter. This process produces significant increase in ECM synthesis at the site of the damage or rupture. As a result, the method strengthens the vulnerable plaque while minimizing or avoiding damage to the surrounding wall of the body lumen or damaging a stable plaque mistakenly believed to be a vulnerable plaque. The method of the invention is particularly useful in treating a fibroatheroma type of vulnerable plaque. In one embodiment, the balloon is self-limiting such that it expands compliantly at initial inflation pressures, and above nominal pressure it expands noncompliantly. In an alternative embodiment, the balloon is inflated using a diameter-limiting device, such as a device which limits the inflation pressure or the volume of inflation fluid in the balloon. | 12-31-2009 |
20100130925 | ROBUST CATHETER TUBING - A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics. | 05-27-2010 |
20100130926 | ROBUST CATHETER TUBING - A multilayer balloon catheter is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the outer layer is adapted to resist shredding and premature rupture. The outer layer is formed of a material having a glass transition temperature that is lower than the transition or melting temperature of the inner layer. By forming the balloon on a mold at a temperature between the glass transition temperature of the outer layer and the glass transition or melting temperature of the inner layer, the outer layer will undergo a thermal relaxation that will alleviate some of the axial orientation of the polymer chains that develop during the formation of the multilayer balloon. This relaxation leads to a resistance to shredding when the balloon is expanded during operation. | 05-27-2010 |
20100130927 | LOW COMPLIANT CATHETER TUBING - combination of at least two polyamides. The catheter component can be made from a blend of the two polyamides, or a co-extrusion of the two polyamides with an inner layer and an outer layer. The first polyamide has a Shore D durometer hardness of more than seventy seven (77), and can be selected from various transparent amorphous nylons having an amorphous segment such as an aliphatic segment, an aromatic segment, or a cycloaliphatic segment. The second polyamide has a lower durometer hardness than the first polyamide, and preferably less than 73, and can be a block copolymer of nylon and polytetramethylene glycol. Both polyamides have the same amide block or segment, e.g. nylon 12. Adding small amounts of the high hardness polyamide can reinforce the low polyamide at the amorphous segments, thereby increasing the overall strength of the material. | 05-27-2010 |
20120065586 | ROBUST MULTI-LAYER BALLOON - A multilayer balloon catheter is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the outer layer is adapted to resist shredding and premature rupture. The outer layer is formed of a material having a glass transition temperature that is lower than the transition or melting temperature of the inner layer. By forming the balloon on a mold at a temperature between the glass transition temperature of the outer layer and the glass transition or melting temperature of the inner layer, the outer layer will undergo a thermal relaxation that will alleviate some of the axial orientation of the polymer chains that develop during the formation of the multilayer balloon. This relaxation leads to a resistance to shredding when the balloon is expanded during operation. | 03-15-2012 |
20120083732 | CATHETER WITH A POLYMIDE DISTAL TIP - A catheter having an elongated shaft which has a multilayered distal tip with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a polymeric second material. In one embodiment the multilayered distal tip is a separate member, distal to the distal end of a proximal portion of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft has an outer tubular member, and a multilayered inner tubular member with a distal end which forms the multilayered distal tip of the shaft. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. In one embodiment, the polymeric second material is a polyamide material. | 04-05-2012 |
20130123664 | MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING A LUBRICIOUS COATING WITH A HYDROPHILIC COMPOUND IN AN INTERLOCKING NETWORK - A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of short chain and long chain hydrophilic compounds cross-linked to one another and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating. | 05-16-2013 |
20130136847 | MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR MAKING MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING A COATING GRADIENT - Methods for forming a “coating gradient” on medical devices, such as a balloon catheter or guidewire are disclosed. The balloon portion of the catheter could have a protective covering initially placed over it to prevent the balloon from receiving a first hydrophilic coating. After a first hydrophilic coating is applied to the catheter, the protective covering can be removed exposing the uncoated surface of the balloon. Next, after the protective covering has been removed, a second hydrophilic coating could be applied to the catheter. A guidewire having less lubricity at the distal end portion of the guidewire than the shaft portion which extends proximally away from the distal end section can be created. The method includes the application of a first hydrophilic coating on the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. This first hydrophilic coating is then allowed to cure. Next, the first hydrophilic coating is removed from a portion of the distal shaft section of the guidewire. After the first coating has been removed, a second hydrophillic coating can be applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. The second hydrophilic coating can be allowed to cure. | 05-30-2013 |
20130138038 | CATHETER HAVING A READILY BONDABLE MULTILAYER SOFT TIP - A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon. | 05-30-2013 |
20130178796 | CATHETER WITH A POLYMIDE DISTAL TIP - A catheter having an elongated shaft which has a multilayered distal tip with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a polymeric second material. In one embodiment the multilayered distal tip is a separate member, distal to the distal end of a proximal portion of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft has an outer tubular member, and a multilayered inner tubular member with a distal end which forms the multilayered distal tip of the shaft. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. In one embodiment, the polymeric second material is a polyamide material. | 07-11-2013 |
20130253425 | Robust Catheter Tubing - A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics. | 09-26-2013 |
20140074020 | SOFT TIP BALLOON CATHETER - Method for fabricating a balloon catheter including providing an inner tubular member having a distal section and a distal end with a lumen extending therein and forming a balloon having a distal leg with a first segment having a first diameter and a first wall thickness and a second segment having a second wall thickness. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. The distal end section of the inner tubular member can be positioned in the balloon and bonded to the first segment while reducing the diameter of the second segment. Method also provided for fabricating a multilayer balloon catheter including removing at least a portion of an outer layer from the distal leg of the balloon. | 03-13-2014 |
20140081310 | ROBUST MULTI-LAYER BALLOON - A multilayer balloon catheter is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the outer layer is adapted to resist shredding and premature rupture. The outer layer is formed of a material having a glass transition temperature that is lower than the transition or melting temperature of the inner layer. By forming the balloon on a mold at a temperature between the glass transition temperature of the outer layer and the glass transition or melting temperature of the inner layer, the outer layer will undergo a thermal relaxation that will alleviate some of the axial orientation of the polymer chains that develop during the formation of the multilayer balloon. This relaxation leads to a resistance to shredding when the balloon is expanded during operation. | 03-20-2014 |
20140142505 | MULTILAYER BALLOON FOR A CATHETER - Multilayer balloon for a catheter comprises a first layer made of a first polymer material having a first Shore durometer hardness, a second layer made of a second polymer material having a second Shore durometer hardness greater than the first Shore durometer hardness, wherein the second layer is an inner layer relative to the first layer, and a third layer made of a third polymer material having a third Shore durometer hardness less the first Shore durometer hardness, wherein the third layer is an inner layer relative to the second layer. Method of making a multilayer balloon for a catheter and a balloon catheter are also provided. | 05-22-2014 |
20140276401 | Catheter Shaft and Method of Forming Same - Elongate, flexible catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen defined therein. The shaft includes a tubular member having an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer includes a first polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon 12, polyether block amide, and combinations thereof. The inner layer includes a second polymer having a heat deflection temperature greater than about 53° C. selected from the group consisting of nylon 11, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, nylon 6,12, polyamide-imide, polyetherimide, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethereetherketone, and combinations thereof. Method of making an elongate, flexible catheter is also provided. | 09-18-2014 |
20140358176 | Soft Tip Balloon Catheter - Method for fabricating a balloon catheter including providing an inner tubular member having a distal section and a distal end with a lumen extending therein and forming a balloon having a distal leg with a first segment having a first diameter and a first wall thickness and a second segment having a second wall thickness. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter and the first wall thickness is greater than the second wall thickness. The distal end section of the inner tubular member can be positioned in the balloon and bonded to the first segment while reducing the diameter of the second segment. Method also provided for fabricating a multilayer balloon catheter including removing at least a portion of an outer layer from the distal leg of the balloon. | 12-04-2014 |
20150088063 | CATHETER HAVING A READILY BONDABLE MULTILAYER SOFT TIP - A balloon catheter having a soft distal tip member having a non-tacky inner (liner) layer material and a soft flexible outer layer material, with both materials being readily thermally bondable to the catheter balloon. | 03-26-2015 |