Thermoplastic fluoropolymer-coated medical devices
US8609125B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L27/34
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical device provided with at least a partial surface coating of a thermoplastic copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether that is free of cross-linking monomers and curing agents. The fluoropolymer coating is preferably an amorphous thermoplastic, is highly inert and biocompatible, has elastomeric characteristics that provide desirable mechanical properties such as good flexibility and durability. These characteristics allow the coating to be considered “functionally transparent” because it withstands mechanical deformations required for the assembly, deployment, expansion, and placement of medical devices, without any adverse effect on the mechanical and biological functionality of the coated device. Further, its inertness, derived from the perfluorocarbon structure, contributes to its functionally transparent nature. The coating can be provided with various liquid or solid additives, can be loaded with large quantities of additives including a wide range of therapeutic agents, and has excellent drug elution characteristics when elutable additives are used.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.