Abstract: Processing methods are described for improving the physical properties of elastomeric materials including elastomeric tubing. The methods include heating tubing in a post-cured step for a specified time and at a specified temperature. The methods also include irradiating the tubing with a desired dose of radiation. Embodiments can include treatment of silicon-based elastomers and/or non-silicon-based elastomers. The improved elastomers can be utilized in pumps.

Abstract: Processing methods are described for improving the physical properties of elastomeric materials including elastomeric tubing. The methods include heating tubing in a post-cured step for a specified time and at a specified temperature. The methods also include irradiating the tubing with a desired dose of radiation. Embodiments can include treatment of silicon-based elastomers and/or non-silicon-based elastomers. The improved elastomers can be utilized in pumps.

Abstract: Processing methods are described for improving the physical properties of elastomeric materials including elastomeric tubing. The methods include heating tubing in a post-cured step for a specified time and at a specified temperature. The methods also include irradiating the tubing with a desired dose of radiation. Embodiments can include treatment of silicon-based elastomers and/or non-silicon-based elastomers. The improved elastomers can be utilized in pumps.

Abstract: A fluid infusion system that is configured to infuse fluid from a source to a patient. The fluid flows through tubing formed of one or more tube segments that define a fluid lumen. At least a portion of the tubing has a multi-layered configuration including an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer has one or more characteristics that are particularly suited for an outer layer such as to resist the environmental conditions that the tubing may experience.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend where at least one of the polymer materials is a water insoluble polymer and one of the materials is a hydrophilic water-soluble polymer. The invention includes a method of forming the hydrophilic polymer blend by melt mixing the hydrophilic polymer and the insoluble polymer into a finely dispersed polymer blend, forming strands of the hydrophilic polymer blend, and then pelletizing the strands.

Abstract: The present invention includes a lubricious polymer blend wherein at least one of the polymer materials is a water insoluble polymer and one of the materials is a lubricious water-soluble polymer. The invention includes a method of forming a desired medical device by melt mixing the selected polymers and then forming the polymer blend into the desired shape. The method further includes cross-linking the polymer blend after or before being shaped into the medical device in order to improve the retention of the lubricous polymer during exposure to abrasive forces or to materials which would extract the lubricious surface, such as water. Cross-linking the polymer blend may be improved by adding a cross-linking agent and/or cross-linking he polymer blend in the presence of a selected inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymer blend where at least one of the polymer materials is a water insoluble polymer and one of the materials is a hydrophilic water-soluble polymer. The invention includes a method of forming the hydrophilic polymer blend by melt mixing the hydrophilic polymer and the insoluble polymer into a finely dispersed polymer blend, forming strands of the hydrophilic polymer blend, and then pelletizing the strands.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug eluting polymer blend. More particularly, the present invention relates to a medical device with a drug eluting polymer blend incorporated therein wherein the drug elution rate is controlled by cross-linking the polymer blend. Once formed, the polymer blend can be used to create a medical device by itself or in combination with other materials. The drug, or other biologically active agent, can be loaded into the blend by soaking the polymer blend in a solution containing the agent before, during or after formation of the medical device. Alternatively, the drug or agent can be loaded into one of the polymers of the polymer blend before formation of the blend or during formation of the blend. Likewise, the polymer blend can be cross-linked before or after loading the selected drug or biologically active agent. Upon insertion into the body and exposure to the body's fluid, the blend releases the loaded biologically active agent at the desired rate.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution, and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guide wire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a vetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution, and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guide wire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: High radiopacity is achieved in a polymeric marker by combining a polymeric resin, a powdered radiopaque agent having uniformly shaped particles of a specific particle size distribution and a wetting agent. The method to produce the marker calls for the blending and pelletization of these materials followed by extrusion onto support beading. The resulting supported tubing is subsequently cut to length with the beading still in place. After ejection of the beading remnant the marker is slipped into place on the device to be marked and attached by melt bonding. Marking of a guidewire allows lesions to be measured while the marking of balloon catheters allow the balloon to be properly positioned relative to a lesion.

Abstract: A resizable inflatable balloon, primarily for use with balloon catheters. The resizable inflatable balloon comprises a first portion and an adjacent second portion. The first portion is inflatable to a working diameter at a first pressure while the second portion does not substantially expand at the first pressure. The second portion does expand to the working diameter at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, so that subsequent inflation at the first pressure inflates the first portion and the second portion to the working diameter. The methods of resizing the inflatable members include placing the inflatable balloon in a mold and supplying inflation fluid to expand the second member to the working diameter. In practice, a catheter having the resizable inflatable balloon is guided through a patient's vasculature until the inflatable balloon is positioned in a desired region. Inflation fluid is supplied at the first pressure to inflate the first portion to the working diameter.

Abstract: A resizable inflatable balloon, primarily for use with balloon catheters. The resizable inflatable balloon comprises a first portion and an adjacent second portion. The first portion is inflatable to a working diameter at a first pressure while the second portion does not substantially expand at the first pressure. The second portion does expand to the working diameter at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, so that subsequent inflation at the first pressure inflates the first portion and the second portion to the working diameter. The methods of resizing the inflatable members include placing the inflatable balloon in a mold and supplying inflation fluid to expand the second member to the working diameter. In practice, a catheter having the resizable inflatable balloon is guided through a patient's vasculature until the inflatable balloon is positioned in a desired region. Inflation fluid is supplied at the first pressure to inflate the first portion to the working diameter.