|Publication number||US3618614 A|
|Publication date||9 Nov 1971|
|Filing date||6 May 1969|
|Priority date||6 May 1969|
|Publication number||US 3618614 A, US 3618614A, US-A-3618614, US3618614 A, US3618614A|
|Inventors||Flynn Vincent J|
|Original Assignee||Scient Tube Products Inc|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (144), Classifications (7)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
United States Patent [7 2] Inventor Vincent J. Flynn Englewood, NJ.
 Appl. No. 826,778
 Filed May 6, 1969  Patented Nov. 9, 1971  Assignee Scientific Tube Products, Inc.
Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 518,186, Jan. 3, 1966, now abandoned Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 571,592, Aug. 10, 1966, now abandoned.
 NONTOXIC RADIOPAQUE MULTIWALL MEDICAL-SURGICAL TUBINGS 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.
 US. Cl 128/348, 128/2, [38/137, 252/478  lint. Cl ..A6lm 25/00  Field of Search 128/348- 351,
Primary Examiner- Dalton L. Truluck. AtlarneyMorgan, Finnegan, Durham and Pine ABSTRACT: Multiwall surgical tubing, especially for stomach, thoracic or rectal use, has an inner, relatively thick transparent tube encased in a relatively thin, visually transparent, outer shell which contains a radiopaque material, so that as the X-radiation passes through the lateral edges of the composite tube it must pass through a relatively long path at the side edges of the tubing, while the central portion remains substantially transparent. Thus, the position of the tube is readily observed by fluoroscopy, while the flow of contrast media or clots may be observed in the central portion. As used for a heart, ureteral or vein intubation catheter, the multiwall tubing is formed of extruded polyethylene containing a nontoxic, radiopaque-plasticizing compound such as bismuth, oxychloride, which is encased in an extruded outer shell of trans parent polyethylene having a hardness and exterior smoothness superior to that of the inner tubing, which outer shell also increases the angular resistance to twisting in use.
N ONTOXIC RADIOPAQUE MULTIWALL MEDICAL- SURGICAL TUBINGS The present application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Ser. No. 518,186, filed Jan. 3, 1966 and of my prior application Ser. No. 571,592, filed Aug. l0, 1966; both now abandoned.
The present invention relates to improved nontoxic medical-surgical tubings for internal use, parts of which tubings are opaque to X-rays and are readily visualized by fluoroscopic devices or in X-ray photographs. The invention is particularly concerned with nontoxic radiopaque multiwall medical-surgical tubings which, because of their overall combination of properties, offer particular advantages when used as tubing for stomach, rectal and thoracic uses, or as heart catheters, ureteral catheters and vein intubation catheters.
While it is known to add radiopaque materials to plastic medical-surgical tubings to thereby render them opaque to X- rays the materials heretofore used have not been satisfactory. Heavy metals such as lead and lead compounds, while imparting radiopacity, are toxic and hence undesirable for any prolonged contact with tissues or bloodstream. Other radiopaque pigments cause the plastic materials to lose their original and desired thermoplastic properties with increasing amounts of the radiopaque material. For example, it has been found that extruded plastic tubings containing adequate loadings of nontoxic radiopaque materials, such as bismuth, compounds, become rough-surfaced and stiff. Such hard, granular radiopaque pigments detract from the desired flexibility, ductility and maneuverability of the tubing in direct proportion to the amount of radiopacity they impart. Because of stiffness and reduced ductility imparted by such pigments, it is difficult to shape the tubings into desired configurations.
Heretofore it has been a problem with radiopaque medicalsurgical tubings containing adequate loadings of approved nontoxic radiopaque pigments, such as bismuth oxychloride, to be able to controllably and evenly draw down or mold the same to form a tapered tip or to shape in into special configurations, such as a J tip of shepherd's crook. When tapered tips of the open-end type are made from such tubings, the thin wall section of the tip will lack flexibility and that portion will also suffer from greatly reduced tensile strength because of the heavy loading of the granular, nonplastic pigment material. At the same time, it has been found that the proximal end cannot be satisfactorily flared or enlarged to receive various equipment, such as special fittings or syringes through which fluids and other material can be fed into the tube. These forming requirements, which involve use of thermoplastic techniques, make it desirable for the material of the tubing to retain in high degree the thermoplastic properties of the resins used. These properties in the desired combinations are now found in presently available radiopaque tubings.
Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of materials in radiopaque catheters and the like by providing multilayer extruded thermoplastic tubings wherein one layer may be of plastic transparent to X-rays and also visually transparent while the other layer, coextruded therewith, is radiopaque. This object of the invention includes the provision of a radiopaque layer which, under X-ray photography or fluoroscopy will delineate the external borders of the tubing while leaving free a substantial internal zone which is transparent visually and to X-rays and therefore will permit observation of contrast media, clots and other obstructions which may appear in the lumen of the tubing.
Such tubings may be made of polyvinyl resins, having high radiopacity but visual clarity and in which plasticity, flexibility, torque resistance and other desirable properties are incorporated.
It has been found that the objects of this invention applicable to large diameter tubings, such as stomach, thoracic and rectal tubings, are realized by medical-surgical tubing comprising an elongated extruded inner tube or core of plastic material that contains no radiopaque substance intermixed therewith, and which is also visually transparent, and a relatively thin external shell of extruded plastic material encasing said inner tube and containing a nontoxic plasticizing substance intermixed therewith, said substance imparting radiopacity to the shell but preferably leaving same transparent for visual observation. The shell of said composite or dual-layer tubing preferably has :a hardness and exterior smoothness superior or at least equal to that of said extruded inner tube; said multiwall tubing being highly flexible for conforming to tortuous body passages through which the tube is passed, yet having substantial anguilar resistance to twisting about its longitudinal axis so that the distal end will rotate in substantial conformity to twisting of the proximal end when the tubing is being passed through and is positioned in such body passages.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention the inner tube is relatively thick and the plastic material thereof (preferably polyethylene) contains one or more materials having radiopaque properties, at least one of such materials also having plasticizing properties or, alternatively, contains a polymeric material which imparts greater flexibility and softness to the inner tube material in which a radiopaque material is impregnated, so that the plastic material in the blend retains its desired properties of plasticity, softness and flexibility substantially unimpaired. About and encasing said inner tube is a relatively thin shell of plastic material coextruded therewith and bonded thereto. The outer shell is preferably an extruded plastic material such as polyethylene, which is free of pigment and radiopaque material, whereby a clear, transparent outer casing having a slick, glasslike surface is provided surrounding the radiopaque plastic core. The thermoplastic material of said outer shell will preferably be a denser, stiffer material than that of the core material, thereby to provide adequate torque resistance to the assembly as well as to assure obtaining the hard, slick exterior properties desired.
In another preferred embodiment, particularly useful for large diameter tubing where the use of expensive radiopaque material is to be minimized in the interest of economy, the relatively thick inner core may be formed of thermoplastic which is X-ray and visually transparent, preferably vinyl, while the thin outer shell may be strongly radiopaque but also preferably visually transparent.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom or may be learned with practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the steps, methods, compositions, combinations and improvements pointed out in the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings referred to herein and constituting a part hereof illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles thereof.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of a catheter made from one form of the tubing made in accordance with the present invention, and wherein, for illustrative purposes, the distal end is tapered and shaped to form a J" tip, and the proximal end is flared;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of tubing having a radiopaque, visually transparent outer shell and a transparent core; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view ofa tubing having a transparent outer shell and a radiopaque core and is a tubing from which the catheter of FIG. 1 may be formed.
Referring in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a finished heart catheter embodying the invention in which tubing 10 tapers down from a main body section 11 of substantially uniform cross section to a curved .l-shaped tip 12 as its distal end 14. One or more eyes or openings 15 are also provided in the distal end 14 for the passage of fluids through the tubing 10. The proximal end 16 of the tubing 10 flares or opens outwardly for receiving various equipment such as syringes for injecting fluids into the patient. The tapering and curvature of the tip, the flaring of the eyes and the flaring of the end are all effected by heated tools which utilize the thermoplastic properties of the extruded tubing. Frequently the surgeon forms these parts of the catheter as part of his preparation for an operation.
Referring now to FIG. 3 which illustrates the cross section of the extruded tubing from which the catheter of FIG. 1 is formed, there is shown an inner tube or core 18 encased within a thin outer shell 20. Both the inner tube 18 and the outer shell 20 are seamless, circular and bonded to each other to form a unitary tubing, preferably be coextrusion. The tube or core 18 is provided with a centrally disposed circular lumen or channel 19.
In accordance with the invention the inner tube or core 18 is formed of a plastic material having the properties of flexibility, suppleness, softness and such angular resistance to twisting and tensile strength as may be compatible therewith so as to provide those physical and thermoplastic properties required by a catheter of the type heretofore generally described. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, polyethylene, preferably nonlinear middle density polyethylene, is used.
It is desired that the inner tube 18 be rendered radiopaque and that as much radiopaque material be incorporated therein as will be compatible with retaining unimpaired the abovedescribed physical properties of the plastic material and without imparting any toxic or other undesirable qualities thereto. Bismuth oxychloride and other bismuth salts (e.g., bismuth subnitrate and bismuthoxide) possess radiopaque properties and have heretofore been used as radiopaque pigments for plastics. In accordance with invention as much as bismuth oxychloride may be incorporated in the polyethylene forming the inner tube 18 as may be required to impart the desired degree of radiopacity, provided that other measures are taken to overcome its undesirable effects.
In accordance with the invention, I may use the radiopaque agent for said inner tube a compound or compounds having the joint properties of imparting both radiopacity and plasticity to the plastic material of the inner tube and being in other respects wholly compatible therewith. When polyethylene is to be used as the plastic material for the inner tube I have found that certain iodinated forms of benzoic acid esters which are solids at room temperature and possess melting ranges compatible with the molding temperatures of polyethylene have the desired plasticizing and radiopacity effects. The chemical forms, properties and methods of making such compounds are more fully described in my copending application Ser. No. 451,962, filed Apr. 29, 1965. However, for the purposes of the present application it may be said that such compounds include both triand tetraiodo benzoic acid esters which are solids, desirably having melting points in the general range of about 160 to 400 F., do not decompose at temperatures in that range and because of their high degrees of iodination are capable of imparting high radiopacity to polyethylene. It is also important that such compounds be compatible with polyethylene and that they do not exude under test conditions of high temperatures and high humidities. Among such compounds are Ethyl 2-(3-amino- 2,4,6,-triiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate Methyl 2-(2,3,4,6-tetraiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate Ethyl 2-( 2,3,4,6-tetraiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate The above identified iodinated compounds may be used alone, in intermixture with each other or in intermixture with other radiopaque pigments. When another radiopaque pigment which lacks plasticizing power is used, such as bismuth oxychloride for example, the iodinated esters tend to overcome the detrimental effects of such other pigments by contributing plasticity sufficient to compensate for that which would otherwise be lost because of the presence of the hard, granular bismuth material.
I have also found that, for some purposes and products, bismuth oxychloride can be used as the sole radiopaque agent and its adverse properties compensated for in other ways than by use of iodinated radiopaque plasticizing materials described above. Thus I have found that for the purpose of heart catheterization, when a relatively stiff, torque-resistant tubing is desirable, that the use of a hard outer shell of plastic material can so encase and protect the radioplastic inner core that all necessary properties of stiffness, flexibility and thermoplasticity can be accomplished by using bismuth oxychloride as the sole radiopaque agent in the inner tube an using a polyethylene without any foreign material therein for the outer shell.
For other purposes, where a greater flexibility and softness are desired in the inner core material, as for example for polyethylene tubings of more general medical purposes, especially where some thennoplastic forming or modification in the tubing may be required before use, properties of flexibility, enhanced thermoplasticity and softness may be imparted to the inner or core material by combining a small proportion of another, compatible thermoplastic resin with the polyethylene while continuing to use bismuth oxychloride as the sole radiopaque agent. FOr this purpose I have found that certain new copolymers are particularly useful. I refer to the copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate which are presently being made and sold by U.S. Industrial Chemicals Co., a division of National Distillers & Chemical Corporation, under the trade name Ultrathene and by El. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. under certain grades of the trade name ALATHON. These copolymers blend effectively and compatibly with polyethylene for coextrusion and provide tubing material having superior properties of flexibility, softness, thermoplasticity and crack resistance which make it ideal for use as the inner or core material in multiwall tubings when a clear polyethylene outer shell or jacket is used.
The ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resins which I have found particularly useful for the purposes of the present invention are those having a stiffness range of the order of 10,000 to 25,000 p.s.i., a softening temperature above 140 F. (60 C.); Shore A durometer hardness in the range of 70 to and Shore D in the range of 22 to 46. Particularly useful is the product designated as Ultrathene UE 643X, which has a melt index of 3 and density 0.95.
Examples of preferred compositions for the formulation of material to be extruded to form medical-surgical tubings in accordance with tee invention are set forth below. Examples 1 and 2 illustrate compositions wherein iodinated esters are used in combination with bismuth oxychloride to provide the inner tube with desired radiopacity and plasticity.
EXAMPLE 1 A double wall radiopaque polyethylene medical-surgical tubing is extruded at a temperature in the range from about 280 F. to 330 F. in a conventional manner using conventional extrusion equipment having a biorifice tubular die for coextrusion of an inner tube and an outer shell bonded to said inner tube. The tubing has an outer diameter of 0.098 inch and an inner diameter of 0.054 inch, and the inner tube has a thickness of 0.017 inch and the outer shell has a thickness of 0.005 inch. It will be understood that the dimensions given are illustrative but not limiting.
The inner tube employs the following formulation:
900 parts medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman 874E 600 parts bismuth oxychloride 200 parts Ethyl-2-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodo-benzoyloxy) butanoate The outer shell employs the following formulation:
medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman Wherever parts" is used in the examples it means parts by weight.
The above described multiwall tubing was found to have excellent flaring characteristics, coupled with excellent drawdown value, the proper longitudinal torque and a slick or glasslike outer surface with excellent opacity.
Following the procedure set forth in example I, a doublewall radiopaque polyethylene medical-surgical tubing similar to that produced in example 1 is manufactured by the same extrusion techniques by employing the following formulation:
Inner tube 980 parts medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman 874E 575 parts bismuth oxychloride 100 parts Ethyl-2-(3 amino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate.
Outer Shell medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman Again, this multiwall tubing was found to have excellent flaring characteristics, coupled with excellent draw-down value, the proper longitudinal torque resistance and a slick or glasslike surface with excellent opacity.
EXAMPLE 3 Following the procedure set forth in example 1, a double wall radiopaque polyethylene surgical tubing similar to that produced in example 2 is manufactured by the same extrusion techniques but employs the following formulation:
Inner Tube 900 parts medium density polyethylene,
Eastman 874E 590 parts bismuth oxychloride 160 parts Ethyl-2-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate Outer Tube medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman As in the other example, this tubing has the desired properties necessary for medical-surgical tubing.
l have also discovered that a useful pigment for imparting radiopacity to polyethylene, but which does not possess any plasticizing property, is tetraiodo benzoic acid. The acid may be used as an additive to the tri and/or tetraiodo benzoic acid esters described above when it is desired to increase the radiopacity of the plastic without further plasticization. Tetraiodo benzoic acid can thus be used as a substitute or partial replacement for the bismuth salts and/or at least part of the benzoic acid esters in the foregoing examples.
I have also discovered that adequate radiopacity and the desirable external physical properties of a slick, glasslike surface may be obtained by using a core of medium density polyethylene rendered radiopaque and properly plasticized as described above but with an outer shell of clear polyethylene, preferably of higher density. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner tube or core 24 may be made of the same composition as the tube or core 18 described above. However, the thin outer shell 26 is formed of a high-density polyethylene without any radiopaque material therein and because of the properties of the polymer, possess a relatively hard slick, extruded surface.
Examples of such modified forms of the invention are as follows:
e.g. Tennessee EXAMPLE 4 e.g. Tennessee 3parts carbon black Outer Shell High-density polyethylene, e.g. Grace grade PP-60-002 In some cases where greater suppleness is desired at some reduction in exterior hardness and slickness, the outer shell may be made instead of medium density polyethylene of the same grade as that used for the inner tube, as illustrated by examples [-3.
EXAMPLE 5 For higher range sizes of heart catheters, that is corresponding to French catheters sizes 7, 8 and 9, a somewhat softer and bulkier inner tube composition will meet the torque resistance and Tinius Olsen requirements. Following the procedure set forth in example I, a double-wall polyethylene surgical tubing in which the inner tube or core is. radiopaque and the outer shell transparent to X-rays is manufactured by the same extrusion techniques but employs the following formulation:
Inner Tube 900 parts medium density polyethylene,
Eastman 87415 600 parts bismuth oxychloride parts ethyl 2-(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate 3 parts carbon black Outer Shell Medium density polyethylene,
The multiwall tubings of examples 4 and 5 were found to have excellent flaring characteristics, coupled with excellent draw-down value, the proper longitudinal torque resistance and a relatively hard, slick, glasslike surface. The thin exterior shell is transparent to X-rays and preferably optically transparent as well, thereby somewhat reducing the cost of materials as well as providing an attractive appearance.
In practicing the present invention, suitable medium density polyethylenes are particularly exemplified by those having a density of about 0.928 to 0.940 grams per cubic centimeter at 25 C. Correspondingly, the suitable high-density polyethylenes are particularly exemplified by those having a density of above about 0.940 grams per cubic centimeter at 25 C.
In each of the foregoing examples, ethyl 2-(2,3,4,6- tetraiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate may be substituted for the ethyl-2(3-amino-2,4,6-triiodobenzoyloxy) butanoate in whole, or in part.
In some cases, in accordance with the invention, 1 have found that inclusion of iodinated esters having plasticizing and radiopaque properties may be dispensed with an inorganic radiopaque agents of nontoxic properties, such as the bismuth compounds, particularly bismuth oxychloride, may be used as the sole radiopaque material. In such cases it appears that the protective effects of the external shell or casing of clear polyethylene sufficiently encases and overcomes the tendency to of bismuth compounds to impart roughness, poor ductility and undue stiffness to the composite tubing so that such tubings are useful in many applications, especially where a relatively high degree of internal softness and suppleness are not required. The following example 6 illustrates a tubing embodying these features of the invention:
EXAMPLE 6 Following the extrusion procedures of example 1 a tubing employing the following formulation may be extruded:
Inner Tube 1100 parts low medium density polyethylene, e.g. DuPont Alathon l4 925 parts fine pigment bismuth oxyclhloride 3 parts coloring pigment, e. g. Konnstamm Black Outer Tube higher medium density polyethylene,
e.g. Tennessee e.g. Tennessee Eastman e.g. Tennessee East- The foregoing type of product is preferably extruded in a range of sizes. The formulation of example 6 is adapted to produce a larger size in said range, e.g. an OD. of 0.! 10 inch; and ID. of 0.071 inch; the inner core having a radial wall thickness of 0.0175 inch and the outer shell a radial wall thickness of 0.002 inch. The smallest tubing of said size range may have an OD. of about 0.065 inch; and ID. ofabout 0.026 inch; the inner core having a wall thickness of 0.0 l 95 inch and the outer shell a wall thickness of about 0.002 inch.
EXAMPLE 7 inner Tube 1089 parts low medium density polyethylene, e.g. DuPont Alathon 14 960 parts fine pigment grade bismuth oxychloride 50 parts copolymer of ethylene-vinyl acetate with melt index of3 and density of 0.95, e.g. Ultrathene" UE634X 3 parts coloring pigment, e.g. Konnstamm Black Outer Tube higher medium density polyethylene, e.g. Tennessee Eastman 874E. 874 Products similar in composition to that if example 7 may be made in a range of sizes similar to those described under example 6.
in another form of the invention a relatively inexpensive, transparent vinyl tubing can be provided in cases where the overall diameter of the tubing is large (FIG. 2). Examples of such tubing are those for rectal, thoracic and stomach use where tubes having diameters of the order of three eights inch or greater may be used. In such construction the inner tube 30 may be the major part of the body of the total tube or catheter and it may be formed of clear vinyl plasticized with conventional materials so that it will remain transparent to X-rays and visual observation. A relatively thin outer shell 32 will be formed about the inner tube 30, also of vinyl, but containing a substantial amount of radiopaque material, such as 1400 parts of n-butyl-2,3,4,6-tetraiodobenzoate or 2-ethoxyethyl-2,3,4,6- tetraiodobenzoate or in the case of such large tubing the mass and size of the outer shell will be sufficient to provide adequate contrast under X-ray photography or fluoroscopy, thereby revealing the position of said outer shell as strong shadows at the external borders thereof. At the same time, with the outer shell 32 and the inner tube or core 30 both being visually transparent, they will reveal radiopaque contrast media passing through the lumen thereof and will also reveal clots or other obstructions appearing therein. An example of such tubing formulation is as follows:
EXAMPLE 8 A double-wall radiopaque vinyl medical-surgical tubing particularly useful for rectal, thoracic and stomach use having an outer diameter of 0.375 inch and an inner diameter of 0.250 inch was extruded in a conventional manner employing a biorifice tubular die for coextrusion and two concentric bonded tubings where the inner tube has a radial wall thickness of 0.045 inch and the outer shell has a wall thickness of 0.020 inch.
The inner tube, which is visually and X-ray transparent employs the following formulation:
50 parts polyvinyl chloride, e.g. Dow Chemical Company,
100-4 polyvinyl chloride 33 parts dioctyl phthalate parts epoxol, e.g. Swift & Company, epoxol 9.5
2 parts calcium-zinc stabilizer compound, e.g. Advance Solvents and Chemical Corporation C2 1 1C The outer shell, which is X-ray opaque but visually transparent, employs the following formulation:
1000 parts polyvinyl chloride, e.g. Dow Chemical Comand Chemical Corporation C2 1 1C EXAMPLE 9 A tubing otherwise similar in all respects to that of example 8 was modified to the radiopaque plasticizing material for the outer shell to include:
700 parts 2-ethoxyethyl-2,3,4,6-tetraiodobenzoate and 700 parts 2-ethoxyethyl-2,S-diiodobenzoate This combination provided an outer shell which was softer and more flexible that that of the example 8.
When even greater softness and flexibility is required in the outer shell, the entire radiopaque plasticizing agent therefor may be an adequate quantity of only 2-ethoxyethyl-2,5- diiodobenzoate which has a relatively high plasticizing value. That compound and methods of making same are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,700, issued Jan. 2, 1968.
The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific steps, methods, compositions herein shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing it chief advantages.
What is claimed is:
l. A medical-surgical catheter tubing comprising a relatively thick interior tubular portion of thermoplastic material which is visually transparent and transparent to X-rays radiation and a thin concentric outer shell of thermoplastic material which is visually transparent and rendered strongly radiopaque by an organic iodine compound or a mixture of such compounds distributed uniformly throughout said shell, said shell being coextruded with and bonded to said inner portion, said shell having an external surface rendered smooth and hard by extrusion.
2. The tubing of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer portions are polyvinyl thermoplastics.
3. The tubing of claim 1 wherein the tubing has a diameter of at least three-eighths inch, and the outer shell has a wall thickness of 0.020 inch.
4. The tubing of claim 3 wherein the inner tubular portion has relatively high flexibility and softness, said shell having greater hardness and torque resistance than said inner portion.
5. A medical-surgical catheter tubing including an elongated, extruded tube of polyethylene containing a nontoxic, radiopaque substance intermixed therewith, and a relatively thin shell of extruded polyethylene encasing said tube and having a hardness and exterior smoothness superior to those of said tube, said tubing being highly flexible for conforming to tortuous body passages through which the tubing is passed yet having substantial angular resistance to twisting about its longitudinal axis so that the distal end will rotate in substantial conformity to twisting of the proximal end when the tubing is being passed through an is positioned in such body passages.
6. The tubing of claim 5 wherein the tube is of medium density polyethylene and the encasing shell is of higher density polyethylene.
7. The tubing of claim 5 wherein the radiopaque substance of said tube is bismuth oxychloride.
8. The tubing of claim 5 wherein the radiopaque substance in the thermoplastic material of said tube is a mixture of the organic iodine compound and bismuth oxychloride.
9. The tubing of claim 5 wherein said exterior shell is formed of polyethylene free of radiopaque material.
10. The tubing of claim 7 wherein the thermoplastic material of said tube is a mixture of polyethylene and an ethylenevinyl acetate copolymer.
2 23 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (IETEFICATE 9F QORECTION November 9, 1971 Patent Na. 3 613 614 Eatad Inventm-(s) Vincent J. Flynn e-identified patent It is certified that error appears in the abcv 5 :shown belwz and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected In Column 8 line 29, "X-rays" should read X-ray and in line 56 "an" shuuld read and Signed and sealed this 23rd day of May i972.
EDWARD mFLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer- Csmmissioner of Patents
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US2112737 *||25 Oct 1935||29 Mar 1938||Goodrich Co B F||Surgical drainage tube|
|US2237219 *||29 Sep 1938||1 Apr 1941||Wardlyn Corp||Application of cellulose derivatives|
|US2667875 *||30 Mar 1951||2 Feb 1954||American Cystoscope Makers Inc||Inflatable retention catheter|
|US2857915 *||2 Apr 1956||28 Oct 1958||Sheridan David S||X-ray catheter|
|US2888954 *||9 Sep 1955||2 Jun 1959||John G Gates||Laminated plastic pipe|
|US2918394 *||20 Sep 1957||22 Dec 1959||Ethane Corp||Laminated wall structure|
|US2932323 *||25 Feb 1957||12 Apr 1960||Robert S Aries||Polyethylene articles|
|US3314430 *||22 Jun 1964||18 Apr 1967||Brunswick Corp||Sump drain catheter|
|US3336918 *||24 Dec 1962||22 Aug 1967||Us Catheter & Instr Corp||Radiopaque, urethane-coated catheter and method for coating same|
|US3416531 *||2 Jan 1964||17 Dec 1968||Edwards Miles Lowell||Catheter|
|US3434869 *||2 Nov 1964||25 Mar 1969||Dow Corning||Foley catheter with silicone rubber coating|
|GB686445A *||Title not available|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US3946727 *||11 Jul 1972||30 Mar 1976||Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.||Flexible tube assembly for an endoscope|
|US3965909 *||22 Apr 1975||29 Jun 1976||Medrad, Inc.||Angiographic catheter and method of manufacture|
|US4148319 *||29 Dec 1976||10 Apr 1979||Kasper Richard F||Urinary retention catheter|
|US4323071 *||19 May 1980||6 Apr 1982||Advanced Catheter Systems, Inc.||Vascular guiding catheter assembly and vascular dilating catheter assembly and a combination thereof and methods of making the same|
|US4385635 *||15 May 1981||31 May 1983||Ruiz Oscar F||Angiographic catheter with soft tip end|
|US4402685 *||24 Jun 1980||6 Sep 1983||Intermedicat Gmbh||Dividable catheter|
|US4469483 *||25 Aug 1982||4 Sep 1984||Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.||Radiopaque catheter|
|US4557959 *||15 Feb 1983||10 Dec 1985||Rehau Plastiks Ag & Co.||Multilayer medical working means|
|US4596563 *||8 Mar 1984||24 Jun 1986||Cordis Corporation||Thin-walled multi-layered catheter having a fuseless tip|
|US4627844 *||30 Oct 1985||9 Dec 1986||High Voltage Engineering Corporation||Tri-layer tubing|
|US4636346 *||6 Feb 1985||13 Jan 1987||Cordis Corporation||Preparing guiding catheter|
|US4694838 *||23 Jan 1985||22 Sep 1987||Mallinckrodt, Inc.||Loop coronary catheter|
|US4722344 *||23 May 1986||2 Feb 1988||Critikon, Inc.||Radiopaque polyurethanes and catheters formed therefrom|
|US4753765 *||5 Mar 1986||28 Jun 1988||Cordis Corporation||Method of making a catheter having a fuseless tip|
|US4808164 *||24 Aug 1987||28 Feb 1989||Progressive Angioplasty Systems, Inc.||Catheter for balloon angioplasty|
|US4863442 *||14 Aug 1987||5 Sep 1989||C. R. Bard, Inc.||Soft tip catheter|
|US4875468 *||23 Dec 1988||24 Oct 1989||Welch Allyn, Inc.||Elastomer-ePTFE biopsy channel|
|US4886506 *||10 Nov 1988||12 Dec 1989||Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.||Soft tip catheter|
|US4887613 *||30 Jun 1988||19 Dec 1989||Interventional Technologies Inc.||Cutter for atherectomy device|
|US4927413 *||24 Aug 1988||22 May 1990||Progressive Angioplasty Systems, Inc.||Catheter for balloon angioplasty|
|US4961731 *||9 Jun 1988||9 Oct 1990||Sherwood Medical Company||Angiographic catheter with balanced dye injection openings|
|US4990138 *||18 Jul 1989||5 Feb 1991||Baxter International Inc.||Catheter apparatus, and compositions useful for producing same|
|US5003918 *||28 Dec 1989||2 Apr 1991||Interventional Technologies, Inc.||Apparatus for manufacturing atherectomy torque tubes|
|US5045072 *||13 Jun 1989||3 Sep 1991||Cordis Corporation||Catheter having highly radiopaque, flexible tip|
|US5047013 *||8 Sep 1989||10 Sep 1991||Astra Meditec Ab||Varicose vein probe with hollow curved spiral tip|
|US5085649 *||21 Nov 1990||4 Feb 1992||Flynn Vincent J||Torque controlled tubing|
|US5171232 *||12 Jul 1991||15 Dec 1992||Cordis Corporation||Catheter having highly radiopaque, flexible tip|
|US5176693 *||11 May 1992||5 Jan 1993||Interventional Technologies, Inc.||Balloon expandable atherectomy cutter|
|US5177170 *||2 Jul 1992||5 Jan 1993||Miles Inc.||Radiopaque polyurethanes|
|US5217440 *||8 Oct 1992||8 Jun 1993||C. R. Bard, Inc.||Multilaminate coiled film catheter construction|
|US5254090 *||11 Aug 1992||19 Oct 1993||Kontron Instruments, Inc.||Balloon catheter having a dual layer inner member|
|US5295493 *||10 Nov 1992||22 Mar 1994||Interventional Technologies, Inc.||Anatomical guide wire|
|US5346981 *||13 Jan 1993||13 Sep 1994||Miles Inc.||Radiopaque polyurethanes|
|US5358011 *||4 Jul 1989||25 Oct 1994||British Telecommunications Public Limited Company||Optical fibre ducts having inner layer suited to blown fibre installation and a fire retardant outer layer|
|US5358493 *||18 Feb 1993||25 Oct 1994||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Vascular access catheter and methods for manufacture thereof|
|US5366442 *||4 Feb 1993||22 Nov 1994||Boston Scientific Corp.||Sleeve for attaching a medical balloon to a catheter|
|US5368564 *||23 Dec 1992||29 Nov 1994||Angeion Corporation||Steerable catheter|
|US5390705 *||27 Jan 1993||21 Feb 1995||Technoflow Tube-Systems Gmbh||Cold-resistant fuel-line hose|
|US5441489 *||11 Apr 1990||15 Aug 1995||Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd.||Catheter with body temperature glass transition region|
|US5476120 *||27 Jan 1993||19 Dec 1995||Technoform Caprano + Brunnhofer Kg||Lacquer-resistant fuel-line hose|
|US5507725 *||22 Dec 1993||16 Apr 1996||Angeion Corporation||Steerable catheter|
|US5507995 *||12 Jul 1994||16 Apr 1996||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Process for making a catheter|
|US5542937 *||24 Jun 1994||6 Aug 1996||Target Therapeutics, Inc.||Multilumen extruded catheter|
|US5591389 *||23 May 1995||7 Jan 1997||Esrock; Bernard S.||Method for making disposable tubular device|
|US5604784 *||19 Apr 1995||18 Feb 1997||Picker International, Inc.||Radiation shield coating|
|US5645065 *||11 Apr 1995||8 Jul 1997||Navion Biomedical Corporation||Catheter depth, position and orientation location system|
|US5649909 *||5 Aug 1996||22 Jul 1997||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Variable stiffness multi-lumen catheter|
|US5725570 *||29 Feb 1996||10 Mar 1998||Boston Scientific Corporation||Tubular medical endoprostheses|
|US5730733 *||31 May 1996||24 Mar 1998||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Flow assisted catheter|
|US5797877 *||24 May 1996||25 Aug 1998||Boston Scientific Corporation||Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers|
|US5846199 *||15 Apr 1997||8 Dec 1998||Cordis Europa N.V.||Catheter with marker sleeve|
|US5899892 *||7 Nov 1997||4 May 1999||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Catheter having distal fiber braid|
|US5908413 *||3 Oct 1997||1 Jun 1999||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Radiopaque catheter and method of manufacture thereof|
|US5947939 *||14 Mar 1997||7 Sep 1999||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Flow assisted catheter|
|US5961511 *||28 Oct 1998||5 Oct 1999||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Catheter having LCP reinforced distal portion|
|US5961765 *||24 Sep 1997||5 Oct 1999||Schneider (Europe) A. G.||Method of making a catheter|
|US6027477 *||2 Apr 1998||22 Feb 2000||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US6036682 *||2 Dec 1997||14 Mar 2000||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Catheter having a plurality of integral radiopaque bands|
|US6077258 *||3 Oct 1997||20 Jun 2000||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Braided angiography catheter having full length radiopacity and controlled flexibility|
|US6086556 *||4 Aug 1998||11 Jul 2000||Boston Scientific Corporation||Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers|
|US6132824 *||6 Aug 1997||17 Oct 2000||Schneider (Usa) Inc.||Multilayer catheter balloon|
|US6136258 *||24 Apr 1995||24 Oct 2000||Boston Scientific Corporation||Method of forming a co-extruded balloon for medical purposes|
|US6165166 *||28 Jan 1998||26 Dec 2000||Schneider (Usa) Inc.||Trilayer, extruded medical tubing and medical devices incorporating such tubing|
|US6193705||3 Sep 1999||27 Feb 2001||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Flow assisted catheter|
|US6200338||31 Dec 1998||13 Mar 2001||Ethicon, Inc.||Enhanced radiopacity of peripheral and central catheter tubing|
|US6277084||5 May 1997||21 Aug 2001||Boston Scientific Corporation||Ultrasonic medical device|
|US6287331||12 May 1998||11 Sep 2001||Boston Scientific Corporation||Tubular medical prosthesis|
|US6290721||21 Oct 1997||18 Sep 2001||Boston Scientific Corporation||Tubular medical endoprostheses|
|US6319228||25 Apr 1997||20 Nov 2001||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Multilayer interventional catheter|
|US6340368||23 Oct 1998||22 Jan 2002||Medtronic Inc.||Implantable device with radiopaque ends|
|US6361557||3 Feb 2000||26 Mar 2002||Medtronic Ave, Inc.||Staplebutton radiopaque marker|
|US6364902 *||5 Oct 1998||2 Apr 2002||Noble-Met, Ltd.||Metal composite tube for biomedical applications|
|US6464683||24 Oct 2000||15 Oct 2002||Schneider (Usa) Inc.||Trilayer, extruded medical tubing and medical devices incorporating such tubbing|
|US6471673||24 May 1999||29 Oct 2002||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US6482348||3 Apr 2000||19 Nov 2002||Boston Scientific Corporation||Method of forming a co-extruded balloon for medical purposes|
|US6497709||5 May 1997||24 Dec 2002||Boston Scientific Corporation||Metal medical device|
|US6527802||23 Sep 1997||4 Mar 2003||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Clad composite stent|
|US6540721||29 Dec 1999||1 Apr 2003||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Balloon catheter with flexible radiopaque polymeric marker|
|US6623823||31 Dec 1998||23 Sep 2003||Ethicon, Inc.||Radiopaque polymer coating|
|US6659977||15 Oct 2001||9 Dec 2003||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Multilayer interventional catheter|
|US6742952 *||28 Feb 2003||1 Jun 2004||Bic Corporation||Transparent or translucent tubular structure|
|US6896842||24 Apr 2000||24 May 2005||Boston Scientific Corporation||Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers|
|US6951675||27 Jan 2003||4 Oct 2005||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Multilayer balloon catheter|
|US6960187||25 Oct 2002||1 Nov 2005||Schneider Gmbh||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US7020947||23 Sep 2003||4 Apr 2006||Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation||Metal wire with filaments for biomedical applications|
|US7101392||8 Aug 2001||5 Sep 2006||Boston Scientific Corporation||Tubular medical endoprostheses|
|US7303798||21 Sep 2004||4 Dec 2007||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US7485108||29 Oct 2003||3 Feb 2009||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Multilayer interventional catheter|
|US7488339||21 Oct 2002||10 Feb 2009||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Multilayer medical device|
|US7490396||24 Jan 2006||17 Feb 2009||Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corporation||Method of making metal wire with filaments for biomedical applications|
|US7585289||22 Jun 2005||8 Sep 2009||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Co-extruded medical balloon|
|US7635347||16 Sep 2005||22 Dec 2009||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US7704245||13 Apr 2004||27 Apr 2010||Cook Incorporated||Large diameter delivery catheter/sheath|
|US7713047||15 Feb 2008||11 May 2010||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Extrusion apparatus for making multilayer articles|
|US7780875||24 Aug 2010||Cinvention Ag||Composite materials containing carbon nanoparticles|
|US7781038||27 May 2004||24 Aug 2010||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers|
|US7815625||20 Apr 2006||19 Oct 2010||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Catheter having improved bonding region|
|US7833597||16 Nov 2010||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US7942849||16 Dec 2009||17 May 2011||Schneider Gmbh||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US7947059||2 Mar 2001||24 May 2011||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Multilayer medical device|
|US7968038||8 Mar 2010||28 Jun 2011||Cook Medical Technologies Llc||Large diameter delivery catheter/sheath|
|US7976518||12 Jul 2011||Corpak Medsystems, Inc.||Tubing assembly and signal generator placement control device and method for use with catheter guidance systems|
|US8066666||29 Nov 2011||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Multilayer interventional catheter|
|US8197494||12 Jun 2012||Corpak Medsystems, Inc.||Medical device position guidance system with wireless connectivity between a noninvasive device and an invasive device|
|US8216498||10 Sep 2008||10 Jul 2012||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Catheter having a coextruded fluoropolymer layer|
|US8231374||31 Jul 2012||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Extrusion apparatus for making multilayer articles|
|US8292874||23 Oct 2012||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Catheter having improved bonding region|
|US8491471||15 Dec 2010||23 Jul 2013||Dignity Health||Inflatable surgical retractor|
|US8636717||23 Oct 2012||28 Jan 2014||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Catheter having improved bonding region|
|US8637132||12 Nov 2010||28 Jan 2014||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US9028441||7 Sep 2012||12 May 2015||Corpak Medsystems, Inc.||Apparatus and method used with guidance system for feeding and suctioning|
|US9131956||2 Jun 2011||15 Sep 2015||Corpak Medsystems, Inc.||Tubing assembly and signal generator placement control device and method for use with catheter guidance systems|
|US9138137||20 Jun 2013||22 Sep 2015||Dignity Health||Inflatable surgical retractor|
|US20030088265 *||25 Oct 2002||8 May 2003||Schneider (Europe) A.G.||Catheter with multilayer tube|
|US20040078052 *||21 Oct 2002||22 Apr 2004||St. Pierre Ernest J.||Multilayer medical device|
|US20040146670 *||27 Jan 2003||29 Jul 2004||Albert Chin||Multilayer balloon catheter|
|US20050060861 *||23 Sep 2003||24 Mar 2005||Bradley David Jeurgens||Metal wire with filaments for biomedical applications|
|US20050064223 *||22 Sep 2003||24 Mar 2005||Bavaro Vincent Peter||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity|
|US20050064224 *||21 Sep 2004||24 Mar 2005||Bavaro Vincent Peter||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity|
|US20050065434 *||29 Dec 2003||24 Mar 2005||Bavaro Vincent P.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US20050266109 *||19 Jul 2005||1 Dec 2005||Scimed Life Systems, Inc., A Delaware Corporation||Multilayer balloon catheter|
|US20050283226 *||18 Jun 2004||22 Dec 2005||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Medical devices|
|US20060143906 *||24 Jan 2006||6 Jul 2006||Bradley David J||Metal wire with filaments for biomedical applications|
|US20070021811 *||19 Jul 2005||25 Jan 2007||Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.||Medical device including radiopaque polymer coated coil and method therefor|
|US20070088114 *||18 Oct 2006||19 Apr 2007||Blue Membranes Gmbh||Thermoset particles and methods for production thereof|
|US20080065010 *||24 Oct 2007||13 Mar 2008||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US20100094210 *||16 Dec 2009||15 Apr 2010||Schneider (Europe) Ag||Catheter with Multilayer Tube|
|US20100203181 *||12 Aug 2010||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Extrusion apparatus for making multilayer articles|
|US20100217086 *||26 Aug 2010||Catholic Heathcare West (CHW)||Inflatable surgical retractor|
|US20110034904 *||19 Oct 2010||10 Feb 2011||Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.||Catheter having improved bonding region|
|US20110070355 *||24 Mar 2011||Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.||Polymeric marker with high radiopacity for use in medical devices|
|US20110144441 *||16 Jun 2011||Catholic Heathcare West (CHW)||Inflatable surgical retractor|
|USRE37324||7 Jan 1999||14 Aug 2001||Bernard S. Esrock||Method for making disposable tubular device|
|DE3204762A1 *||11 Feb 1982||25 Aug 1983||Rehau Plastiks||Mehrschichtige, medizinische arbeitsmittel|
|EP0010757A1 *||31 Oct 1979||14 May 1980||Intermedicat GmbH||Catheter having contrast strips opaque to X-rays|
|EP0047985A1 *||10 Sep 1981||24 Mar 1982||Intermedicat Gmbh||Resting ported vein catheter|
|EP0086512A2 *||24 Jan 1983||24 Aug 1983||REHAU AG + Co||Laminated medical articles|
|EP0801956A1 *||11 Apr 1997||22 Oct 1997||Cordis Europa N.V.||Catheter with marker sleeve|
|EP2435124A2 *||18 May 2010||4 Apr 2012||Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.||Position indicator for tracheostomy tube|
|WO1984001294A1 *||23 Sep 1983||12 Apr 1984||Medical Eng Corp||Laser resistant endotracheal tube|
|WO1984004664A1 *||31 May 1983||6 Dec 1984||Oscar Francisco Ruiz||Angiographic catheter with soft tip end|
|WO1993008861A1 *||1 Nov 1991||13 May 1993||Flynn Vincent J||Torque resistant tubing|
|WO1999017829A1||2 Oct 1998||15 Apr 1999||Scimed Life Systems, Inc.||Radiopaque catheter and method of manufacture thereof|
|WO2008027550A2 *||31 Aug 2007||6 Mar 2008||Catholic Healthcare West (Chw)||Inflatable surgical retractor|
|U.S. Classification||600/435, 252/478, 138/137, 604/524|