Abstract: Implements, particularly medical instruments, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members, exhibit high torque fidelity after processing with tension, heat, and twisting. The processing orients the polymer in generally helical paths so that torque imposed at the proximal end can be transmitted to the distal end without substantial whipping, even if the implement follows a long and tortuous pathway. Applications include medical guidewires, catheters, and driveshafts.

Abstract: A catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (26) having at least one lumen (24) for delivery of a fluid inflation media and a double balloon (12) including an array (20) of a plurality of inflatable secondary chambers (22) radially disposed in a cylindrical array around an inflatable primary chamber (16). Each of the secondary chambers (22) shares a common wall (38) with adjacent secondary chambers (22) and a common wall (14) with the primary chamber (16). The secondary chambers (22) are inflated by an array of channels (32) which are separated from each other by webs (40). One or more of the secondary chambers (22) may be in communication with a pressure transducer for measurement of the resistance of, e.g., a stenosis to dilation by the balloon (12). Alternately, a triple balloon (60) has inner secondary chambers (22a) and outer secondary chambers (22b).

Abstract: A method for making differential stiffness tubing for medical products, such as catheters. The method produces a tubing that has a stiff section and a flexible section joined by a relatively short transition section in which the materials of the stiff and flexible sections are wedged into each other in a smooth gradual manner to produce an inseparable bond between the materials without abrupt joints. The method also employs a resin modulating system that minimizes the length of the transition section by minimizing the volumes in all flow channels of the co-extrusion head used to produce the tubing.

Abstract: Differential stiffness tubing for medical products, such as catheters, and a method and apparatus for making the tubing. The tubing has a stiff section and a flexible section joined by a relatively short transition section in which the materials of the stiff and flexible sections are wedged into each other in a smooth gradual manner to produce an inseparable bond between the materials without abrupt joints. The tubing is made using a resin modulating system and a unique co-extrusion head that minimize the length of the transition section by minimizing the volumes in all flow channels of the head.

Abstract: A slip-layered balloon catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (21) having at least one lumen (26) for delivery of a fluid inflation media and a slip-layered balloon (12) made up of a plurality of layers with a low-friction substance between the layers. The low-friction substance causes the layers to slide readily relative to one another, softening the balloon while maintaining its strength. Optionally, the balloon includes a plurality of slip-layered segments radially disposed about the balloon wall, and separated by lengthwise ridges joining the layers of each segment together. Also optionally, an elastic sleeve surrounds the balloon wall to improve refoldability of the balloon.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter for insertion into a body conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (5) having at least two lumens for delivery of fluid inflation medias and an array (1) formed of a plurality of radially disposed inflatable balloons (3) disposed in a cylindrical array around the shaft (5), each of the balloons (3) sharing a common wall (3a) with adjacent balloons (3). The balloons (3) are inflated by an array (1) of channels (11) and separated from each other by a web (19). There is at least one opening (17) between two adjacent channels (11) to allow the flow of fluids into the array (1). An internal chamber (31) is formed inside the array (1) by the movement of a wall (30) over the axis of the catheter whereby to enable a substantial increase of inflation forces against the body conduit in which the catheter is disposed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for removing metal from a formed self-supporting body. A self-supporting body is made by reactively infiltrating a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron donor material and a carbon donor material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron donor material and a nitrogen donor material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers. Once the self-supporting body is formed, it is then subjected to appropriate conditions which causes metallic constituent contained in the self-supporting body to be at least partially removed.

Abstract: An infusion catheter including an elongated catheter body, and an infusion section at its distal end for delivery of therapeutic fluid to bodily passages. The infusion section includes an outer tube and an inner tube concentric with the outer tube, each tube having a multiplicity of ports therethrough. The inner tube delimits a central, fluid delivery lumen. The inner tube is uniformly spaced apart from the outer tube to provide an annular passageway, the radial depth of the passageway being sufficient to permit fluid flow therewithin. Each of the ports through the outer tube provides fluid communication between the annular passageway and the exterior of the catheter, while each of the ports through the inner tube provides fluid communication between the central lumen and the annular passageway. Thus, therapeutic fluid can flow from the central lumen through the annular passageway to the catheter exterior.

Abstract: A perfusion catheter for insertion into a body conduit, especially an artery. The catheter comprises a shaft (5) having at least one lumen (7) for delivery of a fluid inflation media and an array (1) formed of a plurality of radially disposed inflatable balloons (3) disposed in a cylindrical array around the shaft (5), each of the balloons (3) sharing a common wall (3a) with adjacent balloons (3). The balloons (3) are inflated by an array of channels (11) and separated from each other by a web (19). There is at least one opening (17) between two adjacent channels (11) to allow the flow of fluids into the array (1).

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the resultant properties of a composite body, by, for example, minimizing the amount of porosity present in the composite body. Moreover, additives, whether used alone or in combination, (1) can be admixed with the permeable mass, (2) can be mixed or alloyed with the parent metal, (3) can be placed at an interface between the parent metal and the preform or mass of filler material, (4) or any combination of the aforementioned methods, to modify properties of the resultant composite body. Particularly, additives such as VC, NbC, WC, W.sub.2 B.sub.5, TaC, ZrC, ZrB.sub.2, SiB.sub.6, SiC, MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, La.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, HfO.sub.2, ZrSiO.sub.4, Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Mo.sub.2 B.sub.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device for the delivery of medications to an organ in the body including a catheter having a plurality of lumens (13, 22, 28) disposed therein. The distal end of the catheter is adapted to be disposed within a bodily organ. A hollow, inflatable, medication-deliverable balloon (16) is disposed on the distal end of the catheter and the interior of the balloon (16) is in fluid flow relationship with one of the lumens (22) to enable the balloon (16) to be inflated. An array of conduits (40) is disposed within the walls of the balloon for the delivery of medications to predetermined locations within said bodily organ. Another lumen (28) in the catheter shaft (14) is provided to deliver medications to the conduits (40) in the wall of the balloon (16). An egress (17) for the medications is provided so that they may be dispensed at the site being treated.

Abstract: A sleeve for attaching a medical balloon to a catheter utilizing a balloon (8). The sleeve comprises a plurality of co-extruded and coextensive layers of different polymeric materials (20A, 20B) at least one of which is a base structural layer (20B) and the other of which (20A) is formed of polyethylene and copolymers thereof or of Selar. The base structural layer is thicker than the other layer. The diameter of the catheter at the joint (10, 11) is substantially the same as the tube.

Abstract: An inflatable medical device for the delivery of medications to an organ in the body including a catheter having a plurality of lumens disposed therein. The distal end of the catheter is adapted to be disposed within a bodily organ. A hollow, inflatable, medication-deliverable balloon is disposed on the distal end of the catheter and the interior of the balloon is in fluid flow relationship with one of the lumens to enable the balloon to be inflated. An array of conduits is disposed within the walls of the balloon for the delivery of medications to predetermined locations within said bodily organ. Another lumen in the catheter shaft is provided to deliver medications to the conduits in the wall of the balloon and an egress for the medications so that they may be dispensed at the site being treated.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for removing metal from a formed self-supporting body. A self-supporting body is made by reactively infiltrating a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron source material and a carbon source material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron source material and a nitrogen source material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers. Once the self-supporting body is formed, it is then placed, at least partially, into contact with another material which causes metallic constituent contained in the self-supporting body to be at least partially removed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for joining at least one first self-supporting body, to at least one second self-supporting body which is similar in composition to or different in composition from said at least one first self-supporting body and to novel products which result from such joining. In some of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to different techniques for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to other ceramic matrix composite bodies of similar characteristics and for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to bodies which have different characteristics (e.g., metals). The ceramic matrix composite bodies of this invention are produced by a reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron source material and a carbon source material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron source material and a nitrogen source material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers.

Abstract: A medical balloon and a catheter utilizing the balloon and a mechanism to attach the medical balloon to the catheter tube, and method of making the balloon. The attachement mechanism forms a joint and comprises a plurality of co-extruded and coextensive layers of different polymeric materials, at least one of which is a base structural layer and the other of which is formed of polyethylene and copolymers thereof or of Selar. The base structural layer is thicker then the other layer. The attachment mechanism can be the balloon itself or it can be a sleeve, either of which is heat sealed to the catheter tube. In either case, the diameter of the catheter at the joint is substantially the same as the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are resin stream modulation or shut-off control apparatus for use in a multi-layer extrusion die head for forming a multi-layer plastic resin parison tube suitable for blow-molding. The tube can be formed into articles such as containers. By use of the apparatus, the tube, and accordingly articles therefrom can have layers which vary in thickness or can have portions wherein layers are omitted, e.g., portions which become flash. In an apparatus herein, there is a resin channel having an exit orifice defining a merge area where a first resin stream merges with at least one second resin stream. A die member adjacent to the exit orifice can define the resin channel. Movable means and the die element are caused to intermittently abut or contact one another at the merge area to control, i.e., modulate or shut-off, the flow of the first resin. There is preferably no contact downstream of the merge area.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for joining at least one first self-supporting body, to at least one second self-supporting body which is similar in composition to or different in composition from said at least one first self-supporting body and to novel products which result from such joining. In some of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to different techniques for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to other ceramic matrix composite bodies of similar characteristics and for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to bodies which have different characteristics (e.g., metals). The ceramic matrix composite bodies of this invention are produced by a reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron source material and a carbon source material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron source material and a nitrogen source material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of forming self-supporting bodies and the novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method of producing self-supporting bodies comprising one or more boron-containing compounds by reacting a powdered parent metal with a bed or mass comprising a boron source material and a carbon source material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or boron source material and a nitrogen source material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers. More specifically, the reaction occurs under the application of an externally applied pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a film suitable for use in lamination under heat and pressure. A plurality of resins is co-extruded into concentric annuli, the inner annulus being a polyester type resin, and at least one of the outer annuli consisting of a polyolefin based resin. The co-extrusion is carried out as the extruding die is rotated about its axis. After quenching to form a multi-layer seamless tube, the tube is collapsed and heated to a temperature suitable for biaxial orientation. An air bubble is introduced into the heated tube to expand the diameter thereof and simultaneously orient the tube biaxially by molecular orientation. The biaxially oriented tube is cooled sufficiently to retain its molecular orientation, and is then collapsed. The tube is then heated to a shrinking temperature while under controlled restraint to achieve a predetermined dimension in amount of shrinkage in the film. Finally, the edges of the shrunk tube are slit to form a pair of flat films.