Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of an implantable medical apparatus, such that a protective layer is formed upon the apparatus surface, wherein the coating solution comprises a matrix polymer which contains a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent having a higher surface hardness than the surface hardness of the medical apparatus, wherein a total coating thickness on the medical apparatus is no greater than about 3 mil (0.003 inch).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of an implantable medical apparatus, such that a protective layer is formed upon the apparatus surface, wherein the coating solution comprises a matrix polymer which contains a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent having a higher surface hardness than the surface hardness of the medical apparatus, wherein a total coating thickness on the medical apparatus is no greater than about 3 mil (0.003 inch).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protective layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.1 mil to about 3 mil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the matrix polymer is urethane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the matrix polymer is epoxy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reinforcing agent of the coating solution comprises a lamellar material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the lamellar reinforcing agent of the coating solution comprises a micaceous pigment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reinforcing agent of the coating solution comprises a fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the fiber reinforcing agent of the coating solution comprises glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the reinforcing agent is selected from the group consisting of lamellar platelets, flake pigments and fibers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising applying a primer to the surface of the medical apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for providing a providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the coating solution further comprises a crosslinking agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein the crosslinking agent is aziridine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical apparatus comprises a catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for providing a protective coating on a surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the medical apparatus comprises a balloon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protective layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.2 mil to about 2 mil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of applying a coating solution to the apparatus surface is performed two or more times.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of an implantable medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of the medical apparatus, the coating solution comprising a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent containing fibers, such that a protective coating is formed on the apparatus surface; and aligning the fibers on the surface of the medical apparatus in a direction parallel to the apparatus surface.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of an implantable medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of the medical apparatus, the coating solution comprising a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent containing fibers, such that a protective coating is formed on the apparatus surface; and aligning the fibers on the surface of the medical apparatus in a direction parallel to the apparatus surface.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of an implantable medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of the medical apparatus, such that a protective layer is formed upon the apparatus surface, such that a total coating thickness on the medical apparatus is no greater than about 3 mil, wherein the coating solution comprises a matrix polymer which contains a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent containing particles having a higher surface hardness than the surface hardness of the medical apparatus; and aligning the particles on the surface of the medical apparatus in a direction parallel to the apparatus surface.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of an implantable medical apparatus adapted for use within a patient, comprising: applying a coating solution to a surface of the medical apparatus, such that a protective layer is formed upon the apparatus surface, such that a total coating thickness on the medical apparatus is no greater than about 3 mil, wherein the coating solution comprises a matrix polymer which contains a reinforcing agent, the reinforcing agent containing particles having a higher surface hardness than the surface hardness of the medical apparatus; and aligning the particles on the surface of the medical apparatus in a direction parallel to the apparatus surface.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
33 words
A method for providing a protective coating on the surface of a medical apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 1, 17 and 18, wherein said implantable medical apparatus is temporarily implantable.