US5484565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making a medical catheter
Assignee: SCHEIDER/NAMIC
•
Filing: 1993-06-08
•
Granted: 1996-01-16
•
Expires: 2013-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A polymeric article and method for making a polymeric article, such as a catheter, are disclosed wherein the article is contacted with a swelling agent, such as a solvent, and a plasticizer to make the polymeric material softer and/or more pliable or flexible. The contacting may be carried our sequentially or simultaneously, using a solution containing a plasticizer and a solvent.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Larsen
- 👤 Leonard Pinchuk
- 👤 Thomas D. Weldon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:34
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J7/00; C08J7/02; A; A61; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/14; A61L29/141; C08J3/00; C08J3/18; C08J2375/00; C08J2375/04; C08J2377/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/24983; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31554; Y10T428/31725; Y10T428/31739
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for making a polymeric article comprising: providing an article of a polymeric material; contacting said article with a swelling agent; and contacting said article with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said article and said plasticizer, said swelling agent selected so as to swell said article from about 10% to about 300%, said plasticizer absorbed into said article in an amount sufficient to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for making a polymeric article comprising: providing an article of a polymeric material; contacting said article with a swelling agent; and contacting said article with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said article and said plasticizer, said swelling agent selected so as to swell said article from about 10% to about 300%, said plasticizer absorbed into said article in an amount sufficient to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said steps of contacting comprises immersing at least a portion of said article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of contacting said article with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said article with said plasticizer are carried out simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of contacting said article with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said article with said plasticizer comprise contacting said article with a solution comprising said swelling agent and said plasticizer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of contacting said article with a solution comprises immersing at least a portion of said article in said solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said solution comprises about 10%-98% solvent for said polymer and about 2%-90% plasticizer for said polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said solution comprises about 50%-90% solvent and about 10%-50% plasticizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of neutralizing said swelling agent after the step of contacting said article with said plasticizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing at least said portion in said solution for one period of time, partially withdrawing said immersed portion from said solution and allowing the remainder of said portion to remain immersed in said solution for a greater period of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is polyamide, said swelling agent comprises formic acid and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said solution comprises approximately 2/3 part formic acid and approximately 1/3 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than the temperature at which formic acid dissolves said polyamide during the time contacted, and said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is polyurethane, said swelling agent comprises methylene chloride and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said solution comprises 1/2 part methylene chloride and approximately 1/2 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than or equal to room temperature and less than the temperature at which methylene chloride dissolves said polyurethane during the time contacted, and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said article is in contact with said solution for approximately 1 to 30 minutes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step shaping at least the portion of said article contacted by said swelling agent and plasticizer after said contacting steps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of shaping includes thermoforming at least said portion of said article.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of thermoforming includes compressing said portion to the desired shape and simultaneously heating said portion sufficiently to retain such shape.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for making a catheter having at least a body portion and an end portion, said end portion being more pliable or flexible than said body portion, the method comprising: forming an elongated, polymeric tube, said tube having a lumen and including a body portion and an end portion; contacting said end portion with a swelling agent; and contacting said end portion with a plasticizer, said swelling agent selected so as to swell said article from about 10% to about 300%, said swelling agent a solvent for said tube and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said end portion in an amount sufficient to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for making a catheter having at least a body portion and an end portion, said end portion being more pliable or flexible than said body portion, the method comprising: forming an elongated, polymeric tube, said tube having a lumen and including a body portion and an end portion; contacting said end portion with a swelling agent; and contacting said end portion with a plasticizer, said swelling agent selected so as to swell said article from about 10% to about 300%, said swelling agent a solvent for said tube and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said end portion in an amount sufficient to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein each of said steps of contacting comprises immersing said end portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said steps of contacting said end portion with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said end portion with said plasticizer are carried out simultaneously.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said steps of contacting said end portion comprise contacting said end portion with a solution comprising said swelling agent and said plasticizer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of contacting said end portion with a solution comprises immersing said end portion in said solution.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said solution comprises about 10%-98% solvent for said polymer and about 2%-90% plasticizer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said solution comprises about 50%-90% solvent and about 10%-50% plasticizer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 18 including the step of neutralizing said swelling agent on said end portion after the step of contacting said end portion with said solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said end portion in said solution for said one period of time, partially withdrawing said end portion from said solution and allowing the tip portion of said end portion to remain immersed in said solution for said greater period of time.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said polymeric material is a polyamide, said swelling agent comprises formic acid and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said solution comprises approximately 2/3 part formic acid and approximately 1/3 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than temperature at which formic acid dissolves said polymeric material and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said end portion in said solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said polymeric material is polyurethane, said swelling agent comprises methylene chloride and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide and castor oil.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method claim 29 wherein said solution comprises 1/2 part methylene chloride and approximately 1/2 part N-butylbenezenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than the temperature at which methylene chloride dissolves said polyurethane, and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said tip portion is in contact with said solution for approximately 1 to 30 minutes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising shaping said end portion after said contacting steps.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said shaping comprises compressing said end portion to the desired diameter and simultaneously heating said end portion.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising: expanding a tubular sleeve; placing said tubular sleeve over said end portion; contracting said tubular sleeve to compress said end portion to a desired diameter; and heating said end portion while it is compressed.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for making a polymeric article comprising: providing an article of a polymeric material; contacting said article with a swelling agent; and contacting said article with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said article and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said article in an amount of about 25% by weight to provide an article sufficiently soft to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for making a polymeric article comprising: providing an article of a polymeric material; contacting said article with a swelling agent; and contacting said article with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said article and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said article in an amount of about 25% by weight to provide an article sufficiently soft to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 35 wherein each of said steps of contacting comprises immersing at least a portion of said article.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said steps of contacting said article with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said article with said plasticizer are carried out simultaneously.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said step of contacting said article with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said article with said plasticizer comprise contacting said article with a solution comprising said swelling agent and said plasticizer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said step of contacting said article with a solution comprises immersing at least a portion of said article in said solution.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said solution comprises about 10%-98% solvent for said polymer and about 2%-90% plasticizer for said polymer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said solution comprises about 50%-90% solvent and about 10%-50% plasticizer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 including the step of neutralizing said swelling agent after the step of contacting said article with said plasticizer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing at least said portion in said solution for one period of time, partially withdrawing said immersed portion from said solution and allowing the remainder of said portion to remain immersed in said solution for a greater period of time.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said polymeric material is polyamide, said swelling agent comprises formic acid and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 44 wherein said solution comprises approximately 2/3 part formic acid and,approximately 1/3 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than the temperature at which formic acid dissolves said polyamide during the time contacted, and said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 35 wherein said polymeric material is polyurethane, said swelling agent comprises methylene chloride and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 46 wherein said solution comprises 1/2 part methylene chloride and approximately 1/2 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than or equal to room temperature and less than the temperature at which methylene chloride dissolves said polyurethane during the time contacted, and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said article is in contact with said solution for approximately 1 to 30 minutes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 35 further including the step shaping at least the portion of said article contacted by said swelling agent and plasticizer after said contacting steps.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the step of shaping includes thermoforming at least said portion of said article.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 50 wherein the step of thermoforming includes compressing said portion to the desired shape and simultaneously heating said portion sufficiently to retain such shape.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for making a catheter having at least a body portion and an end portion, said end portion being more pliable or flexible than said body portion, the method comprising: forming an elongated, polymeric tube, said tube having a lumen and including a body portion and an end portion; contacting said end portion with a swelling agent; and contacting said end portion with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said tube and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said end portion in an amount of about 25% by weight to provide a catheter sufficiently soft to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for making a catheter having at least a body portion and an end portion, said end portion being more pliable or flexible than said body portion, the method comprising: forming an elongated, polymeric tube, said tube having a lumen and including a body portion and an end portion; contacting said end portion with a swelling agent; and contacting said end portion with a plasticizer, said swelling agent a solvent for said tube and said plasticizer, said plasticizer absorbed into said end portion in an amount of about 25% by weight to provide a catheter sufficiently soft to minimize the risk of trauma to human tissue.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 52 wherein each of said steps of contacting comprises immersing said end portion.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said steps of contacting said end portion with said swelling agent and said step of contacting said end portion with said plasticizer are carried out simultaneously.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said steps of contacting said end portion comprise contacting said end portion with a solution comprising said swelling agent and said plasticizer.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said step of contacting said end portion with a solution comprises immersing said end portion in said solution.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said solution comprises about 10%-98% solvent for said polymer and about 2%-90% plasticizer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said solution comprises about 50%-90% solvent and about 10%-50% plasticizer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 52 including the step of neutralizing aid swelling agent on said end portion after the step of contacting said end portion with said solution.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 56 wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said end portion in said solution for said one period of time, partially withdrawing said end portion from said solution and allowing the tip portion of said end portion to remain immersed in said solution for said greater period of time.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 52 wherein said polymeric material is a polyamide, said swelling agent comprises formic acid and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide and N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 61 wherein said solution comprises approximately 2/3 part formic acid and approximately 1/3 part N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than temperature at which formic acid dissolves said polymeric material and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said end portion in said solution.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 53 wherein said polymeric material is polyurethane, said swelling agent comprises methylene chloride and said plasticizer comprises at least one of the plasticizers selected from the group consisting of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, N-hexylbenzenesulfonamide and castor oil.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method claim 63 wherein said solution comprises 1/2 part methylene chloride and approximately 1/2 part N-butylbenezenesulfonamide, the temperature of said solution being greater than room temperature and less than the temperature at which methylene chloride dissolves said polyurethane, and wherein said step of contacting comprises immersing said portion in said solution.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said tip portion is in contact with said solution for approximately 1 to 30 minutes.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 52 further comprising shaping said end portion after said contacting steps.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 66 wherein said shaping comprises compressing said end portion to the desired diameter and simultaneously heating said end portion.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 66 further comprising: expanding a tubular sleeve; placing said tubular sleeve over said end portion: contracting said tubular sleeve to compress said end portion to a desired diameter; and heating said end portion while it is compressed.
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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) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |