Patent US5133422A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5133422A
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Radio frequency glow discharge surface treatment of silicone tubing used as covering for electrical leads to improve slip properties thereof
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-04
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Granted: 1992-07-28
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Expires: 2011-09-04
Abstract
Abstract Improved electrical leads provided by the surface treatment of silicone rubber tubing covering on implantable pulse generator, or IPG leads and the like by exposure of the silicone rubber to radio frequency glow discharge in a polymer forming or non-polymer forming gas at reduced pressure whereby improved slip properties are provided and binding between two or more of the leads in contact with each other is minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J. Coury
- 👤 Patrick T. Cahalan
- 👤 Edward D. Di Domenico, Jr.
- 👤 Kenneth W. Keeney
- 👤 John M. Swoyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:40
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/10; B29C59/103; B29C59/12; B29C59/14; B29C59/142; A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; B29K; B29K2083/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7532; B29L2031/7534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An electrical lead for implantation having an outer covering of silicone rubber, the exterior surface of which is improved with respect to its surface characteristics by the treatment comprising exposure to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C 2 H 2 , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electrical lead for implantation having an outer covering of silicone rubber, the exterior surface of which is improved with respect to its surface characteristics by the treatment comprising exposure to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C 2 H 2 , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the glow discharge is in nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 2 when the glow discharge is at a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein the discharge is from about 2 to 250 watts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 2 when the nitrogen is at a pressure of about 0.2 to 0.3 torr, the plasma voltage is about 50 watts and the treatment time is about 16 minutes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an electrical medical device adapted for interaction with a patient by means of a plurality of elongated electrical leads adapted for implantation in the patient's body, the leads including an outer covering substantially over their length comprised of silicone rubber, the improvement comprising treatment of the exterior surface of the silicone by exposing it to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C Z H Z , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results, whereby improved surface characteristics are provided.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
In an electrical medical device adapted for interaction with a patient by means of a plurality of elongated electrical leads adapted for implantation in the patient's body, the leads including an outer covering substantially over their length comprised of silicone rubber, the improvement comprising treatment of the exterior surface of the silicone by exposing it to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C Z H Z , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results, whereby improved surface characteristics are provided.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the gas is a mixture of nonpolymer forming gases.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the glow discharge is in nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 8 when the glow discharge is at a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 9 wherein the discharge is at a wattage of from about 2 to 250 watts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 8 when the nitrogen is at a pressure of about 0.2 to 0.3 torr, the plasma voltage is about 50 watts and the treatment time is about 16 minutes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
Silicone rubber tubing for use as outer covering on implantable leads, the surface of which is treated by exposure to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C Z H Z , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results, whereby improved surface characteristics are provided.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
Silicone rubber tubing for use as outer covering on implantable leads, the surface of which is treated by exposure to radio frequency glow discharge in the presence of a gas at reduced pressure, said gas being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, oxygen, carbon dioxide, C 2 F 6 , C 2 F 4 , C 3 F 6 , C 2 H 4 C Z H Z , CH 4 and mixtures of any of the foregoing for a time sufficient to achieve the desired results, whereby improved surface characteristics are provided.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 12 wherein the gas pressure is between about 0.1 and 1.0 torr.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tubing of claim 12 wherein the glow discharge is in nitrogen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tubing of claim 14 wherein the discharge is at a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tubing of claim 14 wherein the discharge is from about 2 to 250 watts.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tubing of claim 14 wherein the nitrogen is at a pressure of about 0.2 to 0.3 torr, the discharge is at about 50 watts and the treatment time is about 16 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4332259A
Cited
US4508606A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-01-27 | 1996-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-28 | 2000-01-27 | 2000-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-28 | 2004-01-27 | 2004-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |