Patent · US Expired

Expandable obturator and catheter assembly including same

US5015238A · kind A · utility

89Cited by
7References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 20, 1989
Grant dateMay 14, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 20, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61L2300/45
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An oburator includes a solid substantially stiff rod of a nonhydrophilic polymer coated with a layer of a hydrophilic polyurethane which may have an antithrombogenic agent bulk distributing therein. When the hydrophilic polyurethane comes into contact with an aqueous liquid such as water, saline or a body fluid, it absorbs the liquid and expands thereby enlarging the diameter of the obturator. Another aspect of the invention is an assembly of a catheter and the obturator of the invention. When the obturator is emplaced in the catheter and brought into contact with a liquid, it expands, releases the antithrombogenic agent and contacts the lumen wall of the catheter thereby forming a seal which prevents backflow of a body fluid.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.