Abstract: A venous catheter comprising a flexible and resilient tube of synthetic polymer, provided with a tubular tip made of titanium alloy, which confers to the end of the catheter both inherent antithrombogenic properties and a mass such as to substantially prevent the excitation of oscillations of the catheter caused by the pulsations of the venous flow and the cardiac muscle contractions. The catheter is suitable for intravenous extended perfusions and for use in peritoneo-venous shunting systems in the treatment of ascites.

Abstract: A medical material comprising a shaped article made of a soft vinyl chloride resin composition, a layer formed on the shaped article and composed essentially of crosslinked gelatin having good bio-compatibility with a living body, and an intermediate bonding layer firmly bonding the crosslinked gelatin layer to the shaped article.

Abstract: An antithrombogenic/antibiotic plastic material prepared using an organic solvent system containing a specific chlorofluorocarbon compound and petroleum ether.

Abstract: Suction-irrigation apparatus for medical use in relation to wound and surgical sites comprises a probe projecting from a handpiece which also carries a valve, there being a through-conduit opening at the probe tip for suction, a first irrigation conduit opening at the tip, and a second irrigation conduit communicating with the suction conduit adjacent the tip, and with the valve normally operable to control the flow of fluid through the irrigation conduits. Preferably the valve operation has a normal position with both irrigation conduits closed, a fully operated position with only the first such conduit open, and a partially operated intermediate position with only the second such conduit open.

Abstract: Vibration is conveyed to the proximal orifices of an indwelling catheter to disintegrate accumulated clogging deposits, large suspended particles and contaminating bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Orifices may be recessed, hooded or enclosed, and in some cases the catheter tip should be of absorptive material, to deter propagation of the vibration to the parts of the patient's body outside the catheter. Vibration may be conveyed to the orifices by (1) a solid fiber embedded in the catheter walls or positioned in an auxiliary lumen of the catheter; or (2) by a liquid in an auxiliary lumen--which may be formed as an annular space surrounding the main lumen. Preferably the apparatus measures the amount of vibration absorbed by the deposits or bacteria, etc., as a function of frequency, and automatically concentrates the vibration at frequencies where absorption is particularly high, to maximize the disintegration of deposits, particles, bacteria or other bioactive objects.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin-silicone rubber composite shaped article comprising (a) a shaped article of a thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of soft vinyl chloride resins, olefin resins, urethane resins and styrene resins and (b) a cured layer of an addition polymerization type silicone rubber composition adhering to the one or both surfaces of the shaped article of a thermoplastic resin. To the surface of the above shaped article of a thermoplastic resin to which the above cured layer of an addition polymerization type silicone rubber composition does not adhere, there may adhere another cured layer of the above addition polymerization type silicone rubber composition. To either or both of these cured layers, there may further adhere a layer of the above thermoplastic resin, other thermoplastic resin, a silicone rubber, a silicone resin, glass, ceramics or a metal.

Abstract: A medical material comprising a shaped article made of a soft vinyl chloride resin composition, a layer formed on the shaped article and composed essentially of crosslinked gelatin having good bio-compatibility with a living body, and an intermediate bonding layer firmly bonding the crosslinked gelatin layer to the shaped article.

Abstract: A medical instrument formed of a wall of flexible vinyl chloride resin and enabled to be flattened is disclosed. In this instrument, the inner wall whose opposed surfaces come into mutual contact when the instrument is flattened is made of a flexible vinyl chloride resin composition containing cross-linked vinyl chloride resin particles and, therefore, enabled to form minute protuberances and depressions in the inner wall surfaces. This instrument is useful as bags for holding medical fluids and blood.

Abstract: A method of treating articles to improve their biocompatibility is disclosed. A substrate material is positioned within a reactor vessel and exposed to plasma gas discharge in the presence of an atmosphere of an inert gas and then in the presence of an organic gas, such as a halocarbon or halohydrocarbon gas, capable of forming a thin, biocompatible surface covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly useful in the treatment of vascular graft materials to improve their biocompatibility.

Abstract: An angioplasty device is disclosed comprising a woven tube of metal or plastic fibers and a retraction stylet that are attached at one end to a catheter tube for insertion into a vein, artery and the like for the removal of plaque and similar material. One or more guide wires or a stylet may be attached to the woven tube for rotation and manipulation inside the artery. When the stylet or guide wires are retracted, the woven tube expands and contacts the interior, plaque-coated wall of the artery. Movement of the guide wires and expanded woven tube will abrade atherosclerotic plaque from the artery to form particles which are trapped within the tube. An expandable fabric within the woven tube which opens and closes with the corresponding expansion and closure of the woven tube may be used to collect the trapped particles. Removal of the angioplasty device from the artery will them remove the atherosclerotic particles from the patient.

Abstract: A rotatable surgical tool is disclosed for cutting and removing tissue from a patient. The tool includes an outer tubular member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. An inner tubular member has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion with the distal end portion of the inner tubular member having a cutter. The inner tubular member is rotatably disposed within the outer tubular member enabling the cutter to shear tissue disposed in the vicinity of the distal end portions upon rotation of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member. A flexible transmission interconnects the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the inner tubular member for transmitting rotational movement from a rotary power source to the cutter.

Abstract: Full-flow cardiac assist is provided for cardiogenic shock patients without major surgery by a miniature axial-flow pump which can be inserted into the heart through the femoral artery and driven via a flexible cable from an external power source. The cable is contained within the catheter attached to the pump. The catheter also provides a conduit to supply the pump bearings with a blood-compatible purge fluid at a rate and pressure sufficient to prevent thrombus formation and introduction of blood elements between rotating and stationary elements of the pump. Due to the very small diameter of the pump, rotational speeds on the order of 10,000 to 20,000 rpm can be used to produce a blood flow on the order of about four liters per minute without significant hemolysis.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is provided which includes a length of elastomeric tubing over which is positioned and affixed a substantially shorter length of tubing having micro orifices ion sputtered therethrough. The tubing assembly is manufactured by a method that includes stretching the elastomeric tubing in association with the application of medical adhesive at an interface between the elastomeric tubing and the ion sputtered tubing, and relaxing the elastomeric tubing to provide an effective seal along the ends of the ion sputtered tubing. These tubing assemblies are particularly suitable for use as ventricular catheters within intracranial pressure relief systems.

Abstract: A blood collector includes a cylindrical body having a closed end and an open end, and a hollow body is arranged coaxially at the closed end of the cylindrical body and has a hole communicating with the interior of the cylindrical body. A columnar body is arranged within the cylindrical body to be in tight contact with an inner wall thereof, with a distal end defining a blood collection space with the closed end of the cylindrical body. Further, the columnar body has a hole which allows the blood collection space to communicate with the outside. A freeze-dried blood anticoagulant mass is placed inside the blood collection space to cover an inner surface of the closed end of the cylindrical body and to block the hole of the hollow body. A filter is arranged across the hole of the columnar body. The filter is permeable to gases and impermeable to blood at least before being brought into contact with blood in the collection space.

Abstract: A soft vinyl chloride resin-silicone composite shaped article consisting of a soft vinyl chloride resin shaped article and a cured layer of an addition polymerization type silicone composition adhered to the surface of the vinyl chloride resin shaped article, wherein said addition polymerization type silicone composition contains an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two hydrogen atoms directly bonding with silicon atoms in each molecule, in an amount enough to provide one to six such hydrogen atoms per one vinyl group of the silicone composition. The above composite shaped article has a very high bonding strength between the vinyl chloride resin shaped article and the cured layer of an addition polymerization type silicone composition.

Abstract: A surgical gravity drain includes biologically inert medical grade silicone rubber extruded to generally parallel longitudinally extending planar surfaces having transversely aligned and longitudinally extending capillary drainage channels. A ribbon of silicone rubber including integrally formed longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribs defining transversely aligned capillary drainage channels on external ribbon surfaces is disclosed in one embodiment; and a flattened tube of silicone rubber including integrally formed longitudinally extending and laterally spaced ribs defining transversely aligned capillary drainage channels on internal and external tube surfaces is disclosed in a further embodiment. The novel drain of the present invention is substantially clogging-free, collapse-proof, and provides effective long term in situ drainage.

Abstract: Medical articles made of a resin composition comprising a polyvinyl chloride and a tetracarboxylic tetraester are provided. As examples of the tetracarboxylic tetraester are mentioned tetra(2-ethylhexyl) 3,3',4,4'-biphenylethertetracarboxylate, tetra(2-ethylhexyl) 3,3',4,4'-biphenylmethanetetracarboxylate, tetra(n-dodecyl) 2,3,3',4'-biphenyl-1,1-ethanetetracarboxylate, tetra(2-ethylhexyl) 3,3',4,4'-biphenyl-2,2-propanetetracarboxylate and the like. The tetracarboxylic tetraester is incorporated in an amount from 20 to 120, preferably from 30 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl chloride. As dissolution and migration to the surface of the article of the plasticizer tetracarboxylic tetraester are low in the medical articles, said medical articles produce no adverse effects upon body fluids such as blood when contacted. Examples of preferred medical articles are blood preservation vessels, catheters and blood transfusion sets.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to subcutaneous peritoneal injection catheters and methods which minimize catheter obstruction during use. The apparatus includes a receiving chamber or reservoir having a relatively small internal volume while employing a penetrable membrane and relatively enlarged target surface area. The reservoir is interconnected with the peritoneal cavity by a hollow stem. The penetrable membrane accommodates a hollow needle being inserted into the receiving reservoir and is configurated with a dome-like profile so that the membrane may also be depressed to expel insulin from the receiving reservoir into the peritoneal cavity in a direction generally toward the mesenteric peritoneal membrane.The distal end of the hollow stem (which is situated inside the peritoneal cavity), is constructed so as to minimize the likelihood of catheter obstruction during use by a patient.

Abstract: An internally carbon coated graft or catheter and method of coating said grafts and catheters through the use of a carbon rod or a metal rod having a carbon pellet at its end coaxially positioned within the substrate's lumen. The graft may be concentrically supported by a metal tube. The rod and metal tube are placed into a vacuum chamber and the rod is subjected to a laser beam to cause the carbon end portion of the rod to transform into gaseous carbon and be deposited on the lumen of the substrate. The process is continued by moving the rod axially along the catheter or graft while being subjected to the effects of the laser beam.

Abstract: Catheters for long term implantation having polymer surfaces in face-to-face contact which are provided with a thin film coating of a glow discharge plasma polymerized fluorocarbon to prevent adhesion of the contacting surfaces. The polymerized fluorocarbon film, between about 50 and 1000 Angstroms in thickness, is bonded to the substrate material giving a low surface energy without changing its bulk properties. The low surface energy will prevent adhesion of cured polymer surfaces in contact and act as a lubricant. The smooth pinhole-free films will control or prevent diffusion into or out of the bulk material. These biocompatible films provide an alternative use for polymers whose bulk properties are unacceptable but whose surface properties are desirable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a urological device comprising a polymeric prosthesis coated on its surface by a grafted or interpenetrated hydrogel copolymer comprising 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and a crosslinking agent, wherein each constituent of said copolymer is present in an amount selected from a defined range of mole fraction %. The hydrogel exhibits a shrink/swell behavior which varies with changing urine composition such that the polymer undergoes swelling and collapse in rapid response to said change and thereby prevents calcium encrustation. Also disclosed is a method for making the device.

Abstract: A process for grafting a hydrophilic polymer of a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof onto the surface of a natural rubber article by contacting said article in reaction inert solvent with a vinyl carboxylic acid anhydride and initiator, and subsequent washing and hydrolysis of anhydride groups to carboxylate groups and an article when prepared by the invention process.

Abstract: A drug delivery catheter and storage bladder adapted for use in an implantable drug delivery system. The catheter and bladder are provided with piezoelectric layers adapted to be responsively coupled to a source of ultrasonic electrical signals. When so coupled, vibration of the piezoelectric layer dislodges any accumulation of crystallized drugs within the catheter and bladder.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride and 5 to 150 parts by weight of a high molecular weight, modified polyester which is prepared by reacting (A) a polyester having a carboxyl group at terminal thereof and containing an ester unit of total carbon atoms of 8 to 10 in the diol component and the dicarboxylic acid component with (B) a compound having epoxy groups at both terminals thereof, said polyvinyl chloride composition having excellent acticoagulant activity and hence being useful for various blood handling devices including blood transmitting tube, as well as other utilities such as packages for foodstuffs as in the conventional polyvinyl chloride composition.

Abstract: A self-lubricating fill tube comprises an extended conduit having a coating of hydrophilic polymer extending over at least a portion of an outer surface of the conduit. A method for forming the self-lubricating fill tube comprises preparing the surface of the fill tube by cleaning and irradiating the fill tube with gamma radiation in a dosage of about 0.5 Mrads. The fill tube is immersed in a ethylenically unsaturated monomer solution containing oxidizable metallic ions which initiates polymerization of the monomer onto the exposed surface of the fill tube. The fill tube is removed from the monomer solution leaving a hydrophilic polymer coating on the surface of the fill tube. The polymer coated fill tubes are rinsed with deionized water.

Abstract: A device for safe removal of abnormal deposits, primarily in the human body, where differential cutting properties provide for fracture of hard matter while safely preserving soft tissue. The device includes a rotating cutting tool having spirally shaped cutting flutes having hardness-differential cutting properties. The tool is driven from outside the body by means of a flexible drive shaft at greater than 2000 revolutions per minute. A channel is incorporated in the drive shaft for adding or removing chemical matter from the internal body space to provide systematic removal of cutting debris from abnormal deposits. The cutting tool has fluid ports which communicate with the drive shaft channel. The fluid ports may be at the nose of the tool as well as around its cicumference. In the latter instance, the ports extend from in front of a cutting flute into a center cavity with a circumferential component so that rotation tends to force blood into these ports.

Abstract: The wound drain catheter of the present invention is comprised of a drain portion connected to an outflow tube portion. The drain portion comprises a central core with plural T-shaped members projecting therefrom to form plural lumens having respective longitudinal grooves for fluid communication with the wound. This drain has a uniform cross-sectional area and is preferably made from a silicone elastomer having a durometer shore between 40 and 70 shore A. Such uniform cross-sectional area provides added strength to prevent the drain from breaking during its removal from the patient's body, and the silicone elastomer provides sufficient elasticity to permit the cross-sectional area of the drain to decrease by at least 30 percent when a pulling force is applied thereto, thereby reducing the gripping force of tissue surrounding the wound.

Abstract: A safer peritoneal catheter with improved non-plugging characteristics is disclosed. The catheter has very fine sidewall openings which generally have projections associated therewith which tend to prevent the openings from becoming clogged with tissue. The catheter and side holes are sized to facilitate removal of blood and liquids from the peritoneal cavity. The very fine sidewall openings enhance the reliability of the catheter while permitting it to have excellent strength and resistance to breakage.