Abstract: A catheter tubing has a layer of a hydrophobic stiffening polymer encapsulated by a layer of hydrophilic thermoplastic base polymer. Preferred stiffening polymers are polyesterpolyether block copolymers. Preferred base polymers are thermoplastic polyetherurethanes. The encapsulated layer may be a stripe or an annular layer having base polymer layers laminated on both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A lubricating composition includes an emulsion of a noncuring polysiloxane, a surfactant and water. Preferred polysiloxanes include a polar group, most preferably an aminoalkyl or carboxylalkyl terminating group. Preferred surfactants are copolymers of polysiloxane and polyoxyethylene. A metal article such as a needle, blade, cannula or quidewire includes a coating of the polysiloxane and the surfactant which renders the article surface lubricious. The article may be in a sliding relationship with a plastic article in an assembly such as a catheter-quidewire or a catheter-cannula assembly. The plastic portion of the assembly may also include a lubricant. The invention includes a method of making the lubricated article.

Abstract: A catheter tubing has a layer of a hydrophobic stiffening polymer encapsulated by a layer of hydrophilic thermoplastic base polymer. Preferred stiffening polymers are polyesterpolyether block copolymers. Preferred base polymers are thermoplastic polyetherurethanes. The encapsulated layer may be a stripe or an annular layer having base polymer layers laminated on both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A metal article has a coating of a noncuring polar lubricant. Preferred articles are of stainless steel and may be cutting devices such as needles, lancets and cannulas or sliding devices such as stylets and guidewires. Preferred noncuring polar lubricants are polysiloxanes terminated with a polar group. Particularly preferred lubricants are aminoalkyl or carboxyalkyl polysiloxanes. The lubricated metal article may be in a sliding relationship with a plastic article such as a catheter-guidewire or a catheter-cannula assembly. The plastic portion of the assembly may also include a lubricant.

Abstract: A gelling composition for an aqueous liquid includes ungellated starch which has been reacted with a silane coupling agent. In preferred compositions, the starch is a starch-polyacrylate graft copolymer and the composition includes a polyacrylate gelling agent. A disinfectant may be added to the composition for compositions intended for use with medical waste.

Abstract: An article which becomes lubricious when wet includes a base polymer and a coating composition thereon. The composition includes a lubricating polymer and a matrix polymer which adheres to the base polymer and serves as a carrier for the lubricating polymer. The composition may also include a homogenizing polymer to enhance the compatibility of the matrix and lubricating polymer. The invention includes a method to make the article of the invention by coextruding the base polymer and the coating composition.

Abstract: A flashback vent plug is provided for catheters with air vents drilled by a laser beam which allow venting of the hollow plug upon venous entry, but which vents are so small that blood cannot pass. As a result, no leakage ever takes place. As a further feature of the invention, is the addition of a component to the resin making up the vent plug body which optimizes absorption of the laser beam wave length. The air vent design of this invention provides sufficient cross-section for achieving the required air flow, and therefore rapid flashback and venous entry indication, yet its cost of manufacture is considerably reduced when compared to plug designs that involve multi-step assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus designed to coat the internal surfaces of tubular structures, and particularly for coating small diameter tubular structures having porous walls with a controlled coating material which may be a polymer, for example. The arrangement includes structure for rotating the tube to be coated simultaneously with structure for moving a coating applicator apparatus longitudinally through the tube for imparting an evenly dispersed coating throughout the longitudinally extent thereof. The arrangement is such that the apparatus may, selectively, impart a water or other solvent spray against, the already formed coating for extraction of a solvent from the coating. The coating characteristics (i.e., uniformity, thickness and pattern) are controlled by the use of a sintered metal and/or porous applicator, together with a controlled pressurized source of coating material.

Abstract: A device is provided for indicating when an intravenous needle has entered the vein through the use of a solid fiber optic mounted in the needle for showing visual instantaneous vein entry. The distal end of the fiber optic is polished to be flush with the distal point of the needle. The fiber optic is sized to have an outer diameter which will extend through the cannula of the needle. This polished distal end reflects color, such as red blood, immediately upon vein entry and exposure to blood to the magnifying system forming a part of the invention at the rear or proximal end of the fiber optic. The user observes immediate vein entry without any blood flow or exposure to blood. Other embodiments utilize the fiber optic as the needle, thus eliminating the needle itself.

Abstract: A film-forming siloxane composition having excellent adherent and lubricating properties comprising a reactive component having a combination of three siloxane polymers chemically crosslinked, and a non-reactive component dispersed therein. Substrates are dipped or otherwise coated with the compositions, at which time they are cured quickly under heat to a durable, adherent lubricating surface which is dry to the touch. Of particular advantage is the use of these films on hypodermic needles, razor blades, catheters and the like.

Abstract: A film-forming siloxane composition having excellent adherent and lubricating properties comprising a reactive component having a combination of three siloxane polymers chemically crosslinked, and a non-reactive component dispersed therein. Substrates are dipped or otherwise coated with the compositions, at which time they are cured quickly under heat to a durable, adherent lubricating surface which is dry to the touch. Of particular advantage is the use of these films on hypodermic needles, razor blades, catheters and the like.

Abstract: Stereoisomers of cycloorganosiloxanes are interconverted without siloxane bond redistribution by reacting the cyclic siloxane with anhydrous zinc chloride, zinc bromide, ferric chloride, aluminum chloride or aryl phosphonium chlorides in the presence of nitro compounds or aryl phosphate esters as solvents. A typical example is the conversion of 2,6-trans-diphenylhexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane to the 2,6-cis-isomer by heating in 2-nitropropane solvent in the presence of anhydrous zinc chloride.