Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body and a bore extending through the body for insertion of surgical instruments, the body comprising: (a) an underlying substrate of low elastic modulus metal composition, the substrate having surfaces; and (b) a corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, durable, stable coating selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxides, ranging in color from blue to black, and zirconium nitrides, ranging in color from yellow to orange; said coating disposed on the surfaces of the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A catheter comprising: an elongate body and a bore extending through the body for insertion of surgical instruments, the body comprising: (a) an underlying substrate of low elastic modulus metal composition, the substrate having surfaces; and (b) a corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, durable, stable coating selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxides, ranging in color from blue to black, and zirconium nitrides, ranging in color from yellow to orange; said coating disposed on the surfaces of the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the coating is from about 0.1 to about 20 microns thick.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium and zirconium-containing alloys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter of claim 3, wherein the underlying substrate includes a sub-surface zone containing diffused oxygen and the coating comprises diffusion-bonded blue to black zirconium oxides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 4, wherein the coating is from about 0.1 to about 20 microns thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the elongate body further comprises a second coating selected from the group consisting of antibiotics and anticoagulants, wherein said second coating is disposed over said corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, durable, stable coating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a silver doped overlay coating over the corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, durable, stable coating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter of claim 1 further comprising overlay coatings over the coating, said overlay coatings selected from the group consisting of amorphous diamond-like carbon, cubic zirconia, and white tetragonal zirconia.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a polymeric sheath over the elongate body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the coating is deposited on the surfaces of the substrate by chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 1 further comprising a boronated overlay coating over the corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, hemocompatible, durable, stable coating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the underlying substrate is a solid tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The catheter of claim 1, wherein the underlying substrate is a coiled wire.