The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 26, 2003
Filed:
Aug. 04, 1999
Michael R. Violante, Pittsford, NY (US);
Richard J. Whitbourne, Fairport, NY (US);
John F. Lanzafame, Rochester, NY (US);
Margaret Lydon, N. Chili, NY (US);
STS Biopolymers, Inc., Henrietta, NY (US);
Abstract
Coatings to enhance the echogenicity of materials are especially useful for medical devices wherein the practitioner desires to locate or visualize a device by ultrasonic imaging when the device is inserted into a body cavity. These coatings can be applied to any device of virtually any composition. To accomplish this, a polymer matrix is formed containing an entrapped gas in enclosed bubbles or open surface channels or cavities. Coated needles are visible in ultrasound when inserted in animals. A pre-coat or base coat may be applied to condition the surface to enhance adhesion. A finish coat or top coat may be applied to improve durability, smoothness, and biocompatibility, lubricity, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antithrombogenic activity, and other desirable properties for the finished product. Coating liquids and methods for preparing and applying such coatings are disclosed, including forming bubbles by chemical reaction during the coating process.