Abstract: A radiopaque balloon with a composite wall having a radiopaque adhesive affixing inner and outer layers of the balloon. The radiopaque adhesive provides a radiographic image of the balloon wall with or without the use of radiopaque contract media to inflate the balloon. A radiographically fainter image is provided as the balloon is inflated with well-defined edges of a balloon image, and the total radiopacity of the balloon does not change as the balloon is inflated. Also, a method of imaging a balloon wall and a method of imaging a radiopaque adhesive between two layers of a balloon wall are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a treatment area in the vasculature using a catheter having a balloon. The apparatus comprises a guidewire for guiding the balloon to the treatment area, said guidewire including one or more radiopaque markings arranged for corresponding to the treatment area. Related aspects and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiopaque balloon with a composite wall having a radiopaque adhesive affixing inner and outer layers of the balloon. The radiopaque adhesive provides a radiographic image of the balloon wall with or without the use of radiopaque contract media to inflate the balloon. A radiographically fainter image is provided as the balloon is inflated with well-defined edges of a balloon image, and the total radiopacity of the balloon does not change as the balloon is inflated. Also, a method of imaging a balloon wall and a method of imaging a radiopaque adhesive between two layers of a balloon wall are provided.

Abstract: A radiopaque balloon with a composite wall having a radiopaque adhesive affixing inner and outer layers of the balloon. The radiopaque adhesive provides a radiographic image of the balloon wall with or without the use of a radiopaque contrast media to inflate the balloon. A radiographically fainter image is provided as the balloon is inflated with well-defined edges of a balloon image, and the total radiopacity of the balloon does not change as the balloon is inflated. Also, a method of imaging a balloon wall and a method of imaging a radiopaque adhesive between two layers of a balloon wall are provided.

Abstract: A medical balloon (10) is made radiographic, such as by incorporating a radiopaque foil (36) or film layer (35). The radiopaque foil or film layer may be placed between an inner layer (30) and an outer layer (32) of a non-compliant balloon wall. The foil or film may provide the balloon with a radiographic quality from a first end to a second end in the absence of an inflation fluid. The balloon may be provided with the foil or film in a manner that provides a first section, such as the barrel (16), with a first radiographic quality, and a second section, such as the cone (18, 20), with a second radiographic quality. The film may also be applied as a decal or applique to the external surface of a balloon-shaped body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical balloon is made radiographic, such as by incorporating a radiopaque foil or film layer. The radiopaque foil or film layer may be placed between an inner layer and an outer layer of a non-compliant balloon wall. The foil or film may provide the balloon with a radiographic quality from a first end to a second end in the absence of an inflation fluid. The balloon may be provided with the foil or film in a manner that provides a first section, such as the barrel, with a first radiographic quality, and a second section, such as the cone, with a second radiographic quality. The film may also be applied as a decal or appliqué to the external surface of a balloon-shaped body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical balloon (10) is made radiographic, such as by incorporating a radiopaque foil (36) or film layer (35). The radiopaque foil or film layer may be placed between an inner layer (30) and an outer layer (32) of a non-compliant balloon wall. The foil or film may provide the balloon with a radiographic quality from a first end to a second end in the absence of an inflation fluid. The balloon may be provided with the foil or film in a manner that provides a first section, such as the barrel (16), with a first radiographic quality, and a second section, such as the cone (18, 20), with a second radiographic quality. The film may also be applied as a decal or applique to the external surface of a balloon-shaped body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a treatment area in the vasculature using a catheter having a balloon. The apparatus comprises a guidewire for guiding the balloon to the treatment area, said guidewire including one or more radiopaque markings arranged for corresponding to the treatment area. Related aspects and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical balloon is made radiographic, such as by incorporating a radiopaque foil or film layer. The radiopaque foil or film layer may be placed between an inner layer and an outer layer of a non-compliant balloon wall. The foil or film may provide the balloon with a radiographic quality from a first end to a second end in the absence of an inflation fluid. The balloon may be provided with the foil or film in a manner that provides a first section, such as the barrel, with a first radiographic quality, and a second section, such as the cone, with a second radiographic quality. The film may also be applied as a decal or appliqué to the external surface of a balloon-shaped body. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, lubricious coating for a substrate includes a first coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with poly(ethylene oxide) formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a poly(ethylene oxide), and a second coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone. The first layer is substantially covered by the second layer and the second layer at least partially interpenetrates the first layer. The coating is provided by applying the first coating layer, curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/poly(ethylene oxide) coating, applying the second layer, and curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, lubricious coating for a substrate includes a first coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with poly(ethylene oxide) formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a poly(ethylene oxide), and a second coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone. The first layer is substantially covered by the second layer and the second layer at least partially interpenetrates the first layer. The coating is provided by applying the first coating layer, curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/poly(ethylene oxide) coating, applying the second layer, and curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.

Abstract: A radiopaque balloon with a composite wall having a radiopaque adhesive affixing inner and outer layers of the balloon. The radiopaque adhesive provides a radiographic image of the balloon wall with or without the use of a radiopaque contrast media to inflate the balloon. A radiographically fainter image is provided as the balloon is inflated with well-defined edges of a balloon image, and the total radiopacity of the balloon does not change as the balloon is inflated. Also, a method of imaging a balloon wall and a method of imaging a radiopaque adhesive between two layers of a balloon wall are provided.

Abstract: A hydrophilic, lubricious coating for a substrate includes a first coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with poly(ethylene oxide) formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a poly(ethylene oxide), and a second coating layer having a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone formed by reacting a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol or polyamine, and a polyvinylpyrrolidone. The first layer is substantially covered by the second layer and the second layer at least partially interpenetrates the first layer. The coating is provided by applying the first coating layer, curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/poly(ethylene oxide) coating, applying the second layer, and curing to provide a cross-linked polyurethane or polyurea/polyvinylpyrrolidone coating.

Abstract: A guidewire having a metal wire core and a high performance plastic sleeve extruded thereover. A tapering distal portion of the metal wire core extends beyond the high performance plastic sleeve. A coil formed of radiopaque material is mounted about the distal portion. A compliant jacket covers the high performance plastic sleeve and the radiopaque coil. The compliant jacket includes a lubricious coating.

Abstract: A flexible, lubricious organic coating is formed by applying a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and carrier liquid to a surface to be coated. The carrier liquid is removed and the mixture reacted to form a lubricious, flexible coating, particularly suitable for use as a protective lubricious coating on medical devices introduced into the body. The coating exhibits a significantly reduced coefficient of friction when exposed to water or aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A flexible, lubricious organic polymeric coating is formed by applying a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol, poly(ethylene oxide), and carrier liquid to a surface to be coated. The carrier liquid is removed and the mixture reacted to form a polyurethane coating with associated poly(ethylene oxide) giving a highly lubricious, abrasion resistant, flexible coating particularly suitable for use as a protective lubricious coating on devices introduced into the body.

Abstract: A flexible, lubricious organic coating is formed by applying a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and carrier liquid to a surface to be coated. The carrier liquid is removed and the mixture reacted to form a lubricious, flexible coating, particularly suitable for use as a protective lubricious caoting on medical devices introduced into the body. The coating exhibits a significantly reduced coefficient of friction when exposed to water or aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A flexible, lubricious organic polymeric coating is formed by applying a mixture of an isocyanate, a polyol, poly(ethylene oxide), and carrier liquid to a surface to be coated. The carrier liquid is removed and the mixture reacted to form a polyurethane coating with associated poly(ethylene oxide) giving a highly lubricious, abrasion resistant, flexible coating particularly suitable for use as a protective lubricious coating on devices introduced into the body.

Abstract: A semi-conducting pyrolyzed glass fiber layer equalizes the electrical potential on the exterior surface of an insulated conductor when the layer covers the surface. The layer prohibits the development of a corona discharge and bleeds off any electrical charge developed thereon when the layer is electrically coupled to a body having a known potential. The insulated conductor may be windings in a dynamoelectric machine.

Abstract: A structure for bleeding off static electric charges includes a pyrolyzed glass fiber layer having resistivity in the range of 200 to 10,000 ohms per square.