Baxter International Inc.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Jaime E Siman

Mark L Yelderman

Clement E Lieber

Michael D Quinn

Jeff Dove

Nancy Shadforth

An enhanced antimicrobial antithrombogenic medical device is formed by using an oligodynamic metal and a noble metal with a polymer, and forming the mixture into a device. By using low concentrations of conductive polymers or ionophoric compounds, non-conductive, or highly plasticized polymers can be likewise blended into an iontophoretic-capable composition. The surface of the device may be treated with a solvent to remove the top surface of the polymer and create surface voids in the composition in order to expose previously encapsulated iontophoretic materials. This surface treatment results in a larger reaction area of the iontophoretic capable composition that produces larger yields of bacteriostatic oligodynamic ions for a longer duration thereby increasing the antimicrobial effectiveness of the composition. The surface of the antimicrobial composition may be treated with an anticoagulant such as heparin or heparin complexed with a quaternary ammonium salt for an added bacteriostatic effect.

Medical devices having improved antimicrobial/antithrombogenic properties

A multi-lumen catheter capable of measuring cardiac output continuously, mixed venous oxygen saturation as well as other hemodynamic parameters. The catheter is also capable of undertaking therapeutic operations such as drug infusion and cardiac pacing. The catheter includes optical fibers for coupling to an external oximeter, an injectate port and thermistor for bolus thermodilution measurements, a heating element for inputting a heat signal and for coupling to an external processor for continuously measuring cardiac output, and a distal lumen for measuring pressure, withdrawing blood, guidewire passage or drug infusion. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter includes a novel lumen configuration permitting an additional infusion lumen for either fast drug infusion or cardiac pacing.

Multi-lumen, multi-parameter catheter

A double lumen tubing which is adapted for use as a catheter. The tubing accommodates multiple sized guidewires and has increased resistance to kinking. A lumen wall divides the outer tubular wall into the two lumens and has a central arcuate portion shaped to allow insertion of relatively large guidewires through one of the lumens, while still leaving space for smaller guidewires through the other lumen. Resistance to kinking is increased by varying internal diameters or axes of the interior lumen walls to increase the wall thickness of the tubing in selected areas, and by varying the thickness of the wall that divides both lumens in the middle or where the dividing wall meets the outer tubular wall.

Double lumen tubing design for catheter

A double lumen tubing which is adapted for use as a catheter. Both lumens of the double lumen tubing have equal cross-sectional areas to provide equivalent flow volumes through each lumen. The lumen wall which divides the outer tubular wall into the two lumens has a central arcuate portion which is shaped to allow insertion of relatively large guidewires through the lumen while at the same time maintaining equivalent cross-sectional areas for each lumen. Resistance to kinking is increased by varying external diameters of each lumen to increase the wall thickness of the tubing in selected areas and by varying the thickness of the wall that divides both lumens at the two joints where the wall meets the tubular wall.

Polymer blends having improved torque transmitting properties are disclosed. The polymer blends include polyetherurethane and a concentration of polyetherester sufficient to provide the polymer blend with a 37.degree. C. dynamic torque value greater than 40% of the polymer blend's 25.degree. C. dynamic torque value. The polymer blend can be thermally processed to form small diameter tubing suitable for general purpose catheters requiring both a high degree of maneuverability and sufficient resiliency to avoid tissue perforation.

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Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Jaime E Siman