The invention comprises self-lubricating polymer compositions that are especially useful in medical devices and valves and gaskets of medical devices. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer compositions comprise a thermosetting or thermoplastic silicone elastomer in combination with a lubricity enhancing polyfluoropolyether fluid or hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil. In other preferred embodiments, the polymer compositions contain only biocompatible components. The improved anti-friction properties of the self-lubricating polymers can be demonstrated over a course of insertion and withdrawal cycles, where conventional polymers have changing and mostly increasing force required for each insertion and withdrawal, while the polymer compositions of the invention remain stable.

A catheter shaft is produced by forming a first polymeric layer onto a flexible inner core while maintaining the inner core in a solid state, and solidifying the first polymeric layer, wherein the solidified first polymeric layer fails to bond with the inner core and is slidable thereon upon flexion of the shaft. A second polymeric layer may be formed over the first polymeric layer, and is slidable thereon when the shaft bends.

Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.

Devices for preventing and/or otherwise inhibiting biofilm formation include a lumen and/or cavity coupled with a wall configured for holding oils, which leach through the wall of the device to the surface, the oil at the surface creating a smooth surface coating.

The invention comprises self-lubricating polymer compositions that are especially useful in medical devices and valves and gaskets of medical devices. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer compositions comprise a thermosetting or thermoplastic silicone elastomer in combination with a lubricity enhancing polyfluoropolyether fluid or hydrocarbon-based synthetic oil. In other preferred embodiments, the polymer compositions contain only biocompatible components. The improved anti-friction properties of the self-lubricating polymers can be demonstrated over a course of insertion and withdrawal cycles, where conventional polymers have changing and mostly increasing force required for each insertion and withdrawal, while the polymer compositions of the invention remain stable.

A cable includes a silicone rubber coating including microparticles and cavities as an outermost coating. A medial hollow tube includes a silicone rubber coating including microparticles and cavities as an outermost coating or an innermost coating. The microparticles may be at least one kind of microparticle selected from silicone resin microparticle, silicone rubber microparticle and silica microparticle. The microparticles may have hardness higher than a hardness of silicone rubber constituting the silicone rubber coating.

A device and methods for treating an aneurysm includes a catheter capable of insertion into a body to be positioned adjacent the aneurysm, the catheter including a distal end and an operator end opposite the distal end. The catheter forms a circular pathway extending between the distal end and the operator end. A partitioner extends through the pathway of the catheter, the partitioner being rotatable within the catheter and including one or more lumens that provide an orifice from a first end of the partitioner to a second end of the partitioner. The device further includes a first coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a first lumen and a second coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a second lumen. The first and second lumens may be fully circumscribed by the partitioner and have first and second diameters, respectively.

An apparatus may include a connector, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the connector may include a male luer adapter, which may be configured to couple with a proximal end of a catheter adapter. The apparatus may include a catheter, which may include a proximal end secured within the connector. The catheter may be configured to extend through an indwelling peripheral intravenous catheter. The catheter may include a closed distal end and a slit adjacent to the closed distal end. The slit may be closed under normal physiological pressures.

A device and method for treating an aneurysm include a catheter capable of insertion into a body to be positioned adjacent the aneurysm, the catheter including a distal end and an operator end opposite the distal end. The catheter forms a circular pathway extending between the distal end and the operator end. A partitioner extends through the pathway of the catheter, the partitioner being rotatable within the catheter and including one or more lumens that provide an orifice from a first end of the partitioner to a second end of the partitioner. The device further includes a first coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a first lumen and a second coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a second lumen. The first and second lumens may be fully circumscribed by the partitioner and have first and second diameters, respectively.

A catheter incorporating a thin film polymeric layer or layers. The thin film may have a wall thickness of about 0.00025+/less than 0.0001 to about 0.0015+/0.0002, for example. The thin film may be formed by extruding a sheet and cutting the sheet into elongate ribbons, each having two opposing long edges. The ribbon may be rolled or wrapped to define a tubular shape with a gap between the long edges. Heat and pressure may be applied to close the gap, abut the edges and form a longitudinal joint. The joint may extend along a portion of the length of the tubular shaft or most of the length of the tubular shaft. The tubular-shaped thin film layer may have a uniform wall thickness around the circumference, and the uniform wall thickness May