Other

University of California

Erin C Ward

Jian Yang

Andrew C Kummel

William C Trogler

James J Wang

Charles D Ward

Sarah L Blair

Natalie Mendez

Christopher Barback

Alexander Liberman

Tsai W Sung

Tsai-Wen Sung

Ultrasound imaging is a non-invasive, non-radioactive, and low cost technology for diagnosis and identification of implantable medical devices in real time. Developing new ultrasound activated coatings is important to broaden the utility of in vivo marking by ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound responsive macro-phase segregated micro-composite thin films were developed to be coated on medical devices composed of multiple materials and with multiple shapes and varying surface area. The macro-phase segregated in films having silica micro-shells in polycyanoacrylate produces strong color Doppler signals with the use of a standard clinical ultrasound transducer. Electron microscopy showed a macro-phase separation during slow curing of the cyanoacrylate adhesive, as air-filled silica micro-shells were driven to the surface of the film. The air sealed in the hollow space of the silica shells acted as an ultrasound contrast agent and echo decorrelation of air exposed to ultrasound waves produces color Doppler signals.

Ultrasound responsive micro-composite markers

A composition for coating a medical device and a coated medical device are provided. The composition includes a polymeric matrix having non-toxic quantum dots or a fluorophore or both. The polymeric matrix contains the quantum dots or fluorophore and binds as a coating to the medical device. Coated medical devices can be readily identified within or outside of a body and in open or laparoscopically surgeries, greatly reducing or eliminating the risk of a retained foreign object.

Fluorescent and/or NIR coatings for medical objects, object recovery systems and methods

A plunger for a check valve and a method for constructing such a plunger. The preferred plunger has a shell of P.T.F.E. sealingly secured to a rigid, metal disk. The cavity betwen the shell and the disk is filled with a silicone rubber material which, together with the shell, provides a resiliency that enables the shell to conform to irregularities in its mating valve seat even when the seating pressure is low. The shell preferably has an outwardly bowed, tapered sidewall for providing a circumferential line contact with a frustoconical valve seat. In accordance with the method, the shell begins as a sheet that is hot molded around the pre-formed rubber silicone, and the outer edge of the shell is inserted into a groove in the disk to envelope the filler material. The outer diameter of the disk is reduced to sealingly capture the shell edge, thereby forming a unitary structure.

Method of forming a plunger for a check valve

A plunger for a check valve and a method for constructing such a plunger. The preferred plunger has a shell of P.T.F.E. sealingly secured to a rigid, metal disk. The cavity between the shell and the disk is filled with a silicone rubber material which, together with the shell, provides a resiliency that enables the shell to conform to irregularities in its mating valve seat even when the seating pressure is low. The shell preferably has an outwardly bowed, tapered sidewall for providing a circumferential line contact with a frustoconical valve seat. In accordance with the method, the shell begins as a sheet that is hot molded around the pre-formed rubber silicone, and the outer edge of the shell is inserted into a groove in the disk to envelope the filler material. The outer diameter of the disk is reduced to sealingly capture the shell edge, thereby forming a unitary structure.

Check valve

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Tolland, CT, United States of America

Erin C Ward