US5222949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible, noncollapsible catheter tube with hard and soft regions
Assignee: INTERMED Inc A CORP OF MASSACHUSETTS
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Filing: 1991-07-23
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Granted: 1993-06-29
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Expires: 2011-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A unitary, flexible, substantially noncollapsible catheter tube of biocompatible material is comprised of hard and soft regions. The hard regions can be ring shaped or helical. The hard regions provide sufficient rigidity to the tube to prevent collapse under normal usage as the interior and exterior pressures vary. The soft regions provide sufficient flexibility to allow contoured placement of the tube. The hard regions can be created by exposing a polymer in the tube to radiation. The hard regions can also be created by periodically adding a harder material to the tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Antoine Kaldany
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:15
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C71/00; B29C71/04; A; A61; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/04; A61L29/041; A61L29/042; A61L29/06; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/0043; A61M25/0054; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B2018/1807; A61M2025/0059; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/05; A61M2205/051; A61M2205/053; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C48/001; B29C48/0018; B29C48/05; B29C48/10; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/24; B29K2105/243; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A unitary flexible, substantially noncollapsible biocompatible catheter tube comprising: a flexible region including a first polymer composition formed of polyurethane with polybutadiene, and a hardened region of said first composition formed by exposing the region to be hardened to radiation, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse during normal use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A unitary flexible, substantially noncollapsible biocompatible catheter tube comprising: a flexible region including a first polymer composition formed of polyurethane with polybutadiene, and a hardened region of said first composition formed by exposing the region to be hardened to radiation, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse during normal use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tube, as recited in claim 1, wherein the hardened region is helically shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A tube, as recited in claim 1, further comprising an additional radio-opaque material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A unitary, flexible, substantially noncollapsible catheter for insertion in a body lumen, comprising a tube having: a flexible region including a first polymer composition of radiation hardenable biocompatible polyurethane with polybutadiene material, and a hardened region of said first composition formed by exposure to radiation, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse of the tube during normal use.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A unitary, flexible, substantially noncollapsible catheter for insertion in a body lumen, comprising a tube having: a flexible region including a first polymer composition of radiation hardenable biocompatible polyurethane with polybutadiene material, and a hardened region of said first composition formed by exposure to radiation, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse of the tube during normal use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tube, as recited in claim 4, wherein the hardened region further comprises a plurality of ring shaped areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A tube, as recited in claim 4, wherein the hardened region is helically shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tube, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a radio-opaque material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A catheter, as recited in claim 4, wherein the hardened region is hardened in vivo.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A catheter, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a means to sterilize the catheter in vivo.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A unitary, substantially noncollapsible biocompatible catheter tube comprising: a flexible region of polyurethane with polybutadiene, and a hardened region of polyurethane with polybutadiene including a plurality of ring shaped volumes, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse during normal use.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
A unitary, substantially noncollapsible biocompatible catheter tube comprising: a flexible region of polyurethane with polybutadiene, and a hardened region of polyurethane with polybutadiene including a plurality of ring shaped volumes, wherein the flexible region permits contoured placement of the tube and the hardened region has sufficient rigidity to prevent collapse during normal use.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-28 | 1996-12-28 | 1997-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-28 | 2000-12-28 | 2001-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-28 | 2004-12-28 | 2005-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |