St Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc

Other

St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.

David P Johnson

Xiaoping Guo

Richard E Stehr

James V Kauphusman

Karen L Armstrong

Adam G Marglon

Ronald D Hill

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a surgical catheter is provided. The present disclosure provides a catheter shaft that includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion comprises a handle operably connected to the distal portion of the elongated structure. The distal portion three radially positioned polymeric layers. At least two of the layers include chemically dissimilar polymers and at least one of the three layers includes functionalized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

Multilayered catheter shaft containing polyvinylidene fluoride polymers

The invention relates to biocompatible polycarbonate/polyamide polymer compositions for use in medical and surgical devices. Additional additives, crosslinking agents, phosphites, and optionally a radiopaque filler or fillers can be used to produce the high performance compositions desired. The polymer compositions have improved melt processability along with balanced or enhanced physical and mechanical properties, especially when combined or over-extruded onto or covering other polymer layers, such as soft and/or flexible layers commonly used in medical device applications and catheter tips, for example. The ability to incorporate radiopaque compounds into these polymer compositions during melt processing offers improved methods for monitoring and visualizing medical devices when used inside the body and as well as improving the operating characteristics of the medical device components.

Biocompatible polycarbonate and radiopaque polymer compositions and methods of manufacturing medical devices with same

In various embodiments, a surgical catheter is provided. The catheter may comprise one or more hydrophobic barrier layers made from an ethylene-pertfluoroethylenepropylene ('EFEP') copolymer. Additionally, the catheter may comprise another polymer layer made from a reactive polar polymer. In at least one embodiment, the reactive polar polymer may be a modified-poly(ether block amide) ('PEBA') copolymer, such as an amine-terminated PEBA. Moreover, in various embodiments, a composition is provided that may comprise a reactive polar polymer bonded to an EFEP copolymer.

Hydrophobic catheter and composition

A catheter shaft includes an inner layer of a first polymeric material, an intermediate layer of a second polymeric material, an outer layer of a third polymeric material, a first wire reinforcing layer encapsulated between the inner and intermediate layers, and a second wire reinforcing layer encapsulated between the outer and intermediate layers. Typically, the first wire reinforcing layer includes one or more metallic wires helically wound in one direction and the second wire reinforcing layer includes one or more metallic wires helically wound in the opposite direction. The intermediate layer is bonded to the inner and outer layers, as by extruding layers over one another or by thermal lamination or reflow bonding. Typically, the intermediate layer has a larger yield strain and/or a lower flexural modulus and/or a lower durometer than at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer.

Catheter shaft with multiple reinforcing layers and method of its manufacture

A board game apparatus (10) wherein players assume the identities of police officers and fight the war against crack cocaine. Board game apparatus (10) is divided into a first main region (24), a second main region (26), a third main region (28) and a fourth main region (30) wherein a pathway (52), communicates between the four main regions. Pathway (52) in first main region (24) has a plurality of playing positions wherein a player must obtain a plurality of prerequisite items for fighting the war on crack cocaine, such as a bulletproof vest, a task force, armaments, a police badge and a search warrant. Pathway (52) in second main region (26), third main region (28) and fourth main region (30) contain playing positions which give instructions, give information, give both information and instructions, designate barricade positions, designate neutral positions, require the drawing of cards, or the like. Additionally board game apparatus (10) includes a set of guidance cards (14) for guiding the movements of players and a set of guilt determination cards (16) for determining the guilt or innocence of a plurality of criminals existing in the game. A police chart (18) allows players to monitor their progress while playing the board game apparatus (10).

Drug awareness game and method for playing

An adjustable window installation frame for installing a new prime window unit in an existing window unit opening includes a top channel, bottom channel and opposite side channels. The bottom channel and side channels are connected to the new sill and new side jambs of a new prime window unit and the top channel is extended between the upper ends of the side channels. Each channel includes an inner wall extending exteriorly of the new prime window unit for recessing it relative to the frame and an outer wall extending outwardly from the new prime window unit. The outer walls are provided with a plurality of spaced apart slots for reducing the width of the channels to fit various window sizes. The method of the invention includes connecting the bottom channel and side channels to the sill and side jambs of a new prime window unit, connecting the top channel across the upper ends of the side channels and placing the preassembled new window unit and channels into a window unit opening.

Growing community of inventors

Brooklyn Park, MN, United States of America

David P Johnson