U.S. patent application number 10/831998 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-07 for implantable medical catheter having reinforced silicone elastomer composition.
This patent application is currently assigned to Medtronic, Inc.. Invention is credited to Olsen, James M..
Application Number | 20040198864 10/831998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29215387 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040198864 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olsen, James M. |
October 7, 2004 |
Implantable medical catheter having reinforced silicone elastomer
composition
Abstract
An implantable medical catheter comprising at least one fluid
passageway and a cured elastomer composition is disclosed. The
cured elastomer composition is obtained by cross-linking an uncured
blend composition that comprises an intimately admixed mixture that
comprises the following components: (A) silica that had been
silyliated by treatment and contains trialkylsilyl groups; (B) a
polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a catalyst, and (D) an organohydrogen
polysiloxane cross-linker, the catalyst and the cross-linker being
present in the uncured blend composition in sufficient amount to
cause the cross-linking reaction to occur.
Inventors: |
Olsen, James M.; (Plymouth,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Medtronic, Inc.
Minneapolis
MN
55432
|
Family ID: |
29215387 |
Appl. No.: |
10/831998 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10831998 |
Apr 26, 2004 |
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10128000 |
Apr 23, 2002 |
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6743831 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
523/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08L 83/04 20130101;
A61L 29/06 20130101; A61L 29/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
523/105 |
International
Class: |
C08J 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An implantable medical catheter, the catheter having at least
one fluid passageway and comprising a cured elastomer composition
obtained by cross-linking an uncured blend composition that
comprises an admixed mixture that comprises the following
components: (A) silica that had been silyliated by treatment and
contains trialkylsilyl groups comprising approximately 23 to 45
percent by weight of the mixture; (B) a polysiloxane copolymer
composed of divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- -
units, comprising approximately 55 to 77 percent by weight of the
mixture, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of
1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl,
or other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower
alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6
carbons, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group having up to
4 carbons and one double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a
degree of polymerization (D.P.) approximately in the range of 3500
to 6500, and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are
present randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a
catalyst; (D) an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the
catalyst and the cross-linker being present in the uncured blend
composition in sufficient amount to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur; and (E) a radiopaque material.
2. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1 wherein in the
polysiloxane copolymer the --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- group is
--(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--, and the
R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--(CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)Si- O--.
3. The implantable medical catheter of claim 2 where the
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO-- group is present in the proportion
of 0.142 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer.
4. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1 where the silyliated
silica includes trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the
carbon content of the silyliated silica is in the range of
approximately 4 to 8 percent by weight of the silyliated
silica.
5. The implantable medical catheter of claim 4 where the carbon
content of the silyliated silica is approximately 7.3 percent by
weight of the silyliated silica.
6. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1, wherein the
radiopaque material comprises about 13% by weight of the
catheter.
7. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1, further comprising
an implantable fluid access port.
8. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1, wherein the
catheter is in fluid communication with an implantable access
port.
9. The implantable medical catheter of claim 1, wherein the
catheter is in fluid communication with an implantable pump.
10. An implantable medical device comprising a catheter and an
implantable access port, the catheter being in fluid communication
with the implantable fluid access port, the catheter having at
least one fluid passageway, the fluid passageway having an open
proximal region and an open distal region, and comprising a cured
elastomer composition obtained by cross-linking an uncured blend
composition that comprises an admixed mixture that comprises the
following components: (A) silica that had been silyliated by
treatment and contains trialkylsilyl groups comprising
approximately 23 to 45 percent by weight of the mixture; (B) a
polysiloxane copolymer composed of divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--,
divalent --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and end-blocking
R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- - units, comprising approximately 55 to
77 percent by weight of the mixture, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2
independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or
trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group
having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons,
phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7
independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl, vinyl,
allyl, or other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons and one
double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a degree of
polymerization (D.P.) approximately in the range of 3500 to 6500,
and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are present
randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a
catalyst; (D) an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the
catalyst and the cross-linker being present in the uncured blend
composition in sufficient amount to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur; and (E) a radiopaque material.
11. The implantable medical device of claim 10 wherein in the
polysiloxane copolymer the --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--, and the
R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO- --.
12. The implantable medical device of claim 11 where the
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO-- group is present in the proportion
of 0.142 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer.
13. The implantable medical device of claim 10 where the silyliated
silica includes trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the
carbon content of the silyliated silica is in the range of
approximately 4 to 8 percent by weight of the silyliated
silica.
14. The implantable medical device of claim 13 where the carbon
content of the silyliated silica is approximately 7.3 percent by
weight of the silyliated silica.
15. The implantable medical device of claim 10 further comprising
at least one spinal anchor, the force at the spinal anchor due to
independent motion of the implantable fluid access port being about
35% less for the catheter than a catheter made of an elastomer not
having the admixture of components (A) through (D).
16. An implantable medical device comprising a catheter and an
implantable pump, the catheter being in fluid communication with
the implantable pump, the catheter having at least one fluid
passageway, the fluid passageway having an open proximal region and
an open distal region, and comprising a cured elastomer composition
obtained by cross-linking an uncured blend composition that
comprises an admixed mixture that comprises the following
components: (A) silica that had been silyliated by treatment and
contains trialkylsilyl groups comprising approximately 23 to 45
percent by weight of the mixture; (B) a polysiloxane copolymer
composed of divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO--
units, comprising approximately 55 to 77 percent by weight of the
mixture, where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of
1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl,
or other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower
alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, and R.sub.7 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6
carbons, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group having up to
4 carbons and one double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a
degree of polymerization (D.P.) approximately in the range of 3500
to 6500, and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are
present randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a
catalyst; (D) an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the
catalyst and the cross-linker being present in the uncured blend
composition in sufficient amount to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur; and (E) a radiopaque material.
17. The implantable medical device of claim 16 wherein in the
polysiloxane copolymer the --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- group is
--(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--, and the
R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--(CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)Si- O--.
18. The implantable medical device of claim 17 where the
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO-- group is present in the proportion
of 0.142 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer.
19. The implantable medical device of claim 16 where the silyliated
silica includes trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the
carbon content of the silyliated silica is in the range of
approximately 4 to 8 percent by weight of the silyliated
silica.
20. The implantable medical device of claim 19 where the carbon
content of the silyliated silica is approximately 7.3 percent by
weight of the silyliated silica.
21. The implantable medical device of claim 16 further comprising
at least one spinal anchor, the force at the spinal anchor due to
independent motion of the implantable fluid access port being about
35% less for the catheter than a catheter made of an elastomer not
having the admixture of components (A) through (D).
22. An uncured elastomer blend composition suitable for curing by
cross linking, the composition comprising two aliquots and a
radiopaque material in combination: the first aliquot comprising an
admixed mixture of the following components: (1) approximately 23
to 45 percent by weight of silica that had been silyliated by
treatment and contains trialkylsilyl groups; (2) approximately 55
to 77 percent by weight of a polysiloxane copolymer composed of
divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and
end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- - units, where R.sub.1 and
R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or
trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group
having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons,
phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7
independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl, vinyl,
allyl, or other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons and one
double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a degree of
polymerization (D. P.) approximately in the range of 3500 to 6500,
and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are present
randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent, and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2
or both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of
the trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not
exceed approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer;
and a (3) a catalyst, the second aliquot comprising an admixed
mixture of the following components: (1) approximately 23 to 45
percent by weight of silica that had been silyliated by treatment
and contains trialkylsilyl groups; (2) approximately 55 to 77
percent by weight of a polysiloxane copolymer composed of divalent
--R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and
end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- units, where R.sub.1 and
R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or
trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group
having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons,
phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6, and R.sub.7
independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl, vinyl,
allyl, or other olefimic group having up to 4 carbons and one
double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a degree of
polymerization (D. P.) approximately in the range of 3500 to 6500,
and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are present
randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer, an (3)
an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the catalyst and the
cross-linker being present in the first and second aliquots
respectively in sufficient amounts to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur after the first and second aliquots are
mixed.
23. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 22 wherein in
the polysiloxane copolymer of each aliquot the
--R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- is --(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--,
and the R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--.
24. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 23 wherein in
the polysiloxane copolymer of each aliquot the silyliated silica
includes trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the carbon
content of the silica is in the range of approximately 4 to 8
percent by weight.
25. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 22 wherein the
second aliquot further comprises a volatile inhibitor in such
quantity that the cross-linking reaction occurs rapidly after
mixing the first and second aliquots and substantially removing the
inhibitor by heat.
26. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 23 where the
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO-- group is present in the proportion
of 0.142 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer.
27. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 24 where the
carbon content of the silyliated silica is approximately 7.3
percent by weight of the silyliated silica.
28. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 22, wherein
the radiopaque material comprises about 13% by weight of the
uncured elastomer blend composition.
29. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 22, wherein
the radiopaque material comprises barium sulfate.
30. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 29 wherein in
the polysiloxane copolymer of each aliquot the
--R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- is --(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--,
and the R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--.
31. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 30 wherein in
the polysiloxane copolymer of each aliquot the silyliated silica
includes trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the carbon
content of the silica is in the range of approximately 4 to 8
percent by weight.
32. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 29 wherein the
second aliquot further comprises a volatile inhibitor in such
quantity that the cross-linking reaction occurs rapidly after
mixing the first and second aliquots and substantially removing the
inhibitor by heat.
33. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 30 where the
--CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO-- group is present in the proportion
of 0.142 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer.
34. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 31 where the
carbon content of the silyliated silica is approximately 7.3
percent by weight of the silyliated silica.
35. The uncured elastomer blend composition of claim 29, wherein
the radiopaque material comprises about 13% by weight of the
uncured elastomer blend composition.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/128,000, filed
Apr. 23, 2002, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to medical catheters
having improved mechanical properties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various types of materials are used for catheters, such as
Dow Corning HP (high performance) or Dow Corning ETR (extra tear
resistance) material. These types of materials have relatively high
tear resistance. However, it would be desirable to have a catheter
material that had a higher crush and creep resistance than Dow
Corning HP or Dow Corning ETR.
[0004] Crush resistance and creep resistance are important
properties for catheters because they can be subjected to various
forces, such as compression and stretching forces after they are
implanted within a patient. For example, a catheter that is
implanted within a patient so that it can come into contact with
the spinous processes can be frequently subjected to compression
from the spinous processes.
[0005] Other materials have higher crush and creep resistance than
Dow Corning HP and Dow Corning ETR. An example of such a material
is Dow Corning MDX. While this type of material has relatively high
crush and creep resistance, it is not considered to be suitable
material for a catheter because a higher tear resistance material
is believed to be necessary for such a catheter.
[0006] Tear resistance is important for catheters because they can
be "nicked" or cut on the introducer needle during placement.
Notably, this can occur without the physician implanting the
catheter knowing that a nick or cut had occurred. Tear resistance
is a mechanical property that indicates how quickly a cut or tear
progresses to a fracture or break.
[0007] As it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the
art of medical catheters, certain mechanical properties, such as
tear strength, abrasion resistance, resistance to shredding,
compression set, crush and creep resistance are of great importance
in the materials for any catheter device that is implanted into the
human body. It should also be readily appreciated by those skilled
in the art that catheters having improved mechanical properties,
and particularly improved tear resistance, crush resistance and
creep resistance provide higher performance and better results than
catheters having lesser such mechanical properties.
[0008] The need still exists for catheters having improved
mechanical properties, including improved tear resistance, crush
resistance and creep resistance. The present invention provides
such a catheter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
catheter having improved overall mechanical properties over prior
catheters.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
tubular material for implantable medical catheters, which material
has improved overall mechanical properties, including improved tear
resistance, crush resistance and creep resistance.
[0011] The implantable medical catheter disclosed herein attains
the foregoing and other objects of the present invention. More
specifically, the implantable medical catheter of the present
invention comprises a catheter defining at least one fluid
passageway and a cured elastomer composition obtained by
cross-linking an uncured blend composition that comprises an
intimately admixed mixture that comprises the following components:
(A) silica that had been silyliated by treatment and contains
trialkylsilyl groups comprising approximately 23 to 45 percent by
weight of the mixture; (B) a polysiloxane copolymer composed of
divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and
end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- units, comprising
approximately 55 to 77 percent by weight of the mixture, where
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6
carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl, or
other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower alkyl
of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
and R.sub.7 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons,
phenyl, vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group having up to 4
carbons and one double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a
degree of polymerization (D.P.) approximately in the range of 3500
to 6500, and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are
present randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a
catalyst, and (D) an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the
catalyst and the cross-linker being present in the uncured blend
composition in sufficient amount to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur.
[0012] In one embodiment, the polysiloxane copolymer, the
--R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- group is --R(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--,
and the R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO- --.
[0013] In one embodiment, the --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--
group is present in the proportion of 0.142 mol percent in the
polysiloxane copolymer.
[0014] In one embodiment, the silyliated silica includes
trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the carbon content of
the silyliated silica is in the range of approximately 4 to 8
percent by weight of the silyliated silica.
[0015] In one embodiment, the carbon content of the silyliated
silica is approximately 7.3 percent by weight of the silyliated
silica.
[0016] In one embodiment, the catheter includes barium sulfate
(BaSO.sub.4).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
that is implanted within a patient and can come into contact with
the spinous processes of the patient.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating tensile stress (psi) versus
tensile strain (%) for a catheter of the present invention versus a
prior art catheter.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating creep resistance for the
elastomer of the present invention versus two prior art
materials.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an access port connected to a catheter of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a pump connected to a catheter of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The implantable medical catheter of the present invention
comprises a catheter 10 defining at least one fluid passageway 12
and a cured elastomer composition 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the
catheter 10 is implanted within a patient using an introducer
needle 16. FIG. 1 shows that catheter 10 is implanted so that it
can come into contact with spinous processes 18 of the patient.
[0023] The cured elastomer composition 14 is obtained by
cross-linking an uncured blend composition that comprises an
intimately admixed mixture that comprises the following components:
(A) silica that had been silyliated by treatment and contains
trialkylsilyl groups comprising approximately 23 to 45 percent by
weight of the mixture; (B) a polysiloxane copolymer composed of
divalent --R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO--, divalent --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- and
end-blocking R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- - units, comprising
approximately 55 to 77 percent by weight of the mixture, where
R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6
carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, R.sub.3 is vinyl, allyl, or
other olefinic group having up to 4 carbons, R.sub.4 is lower alkyl
of 1 to 6 carbons, phenyl or trifluoropropyl, and R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
and R.sub.7 independently are lower alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons,
phenyl, vinyl, allyl, or other olefinic group having up to 4
carbons and one double bond, the polysiloxane copolymer has a
degree of polymerization (D.P.) approximately in the range of 3500
to 6500, and the olefin containing --R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- groups are
present randomly distributed in the polysiloxane copolymer and
approximately in the 0.05 to 0.3 mol percent range, with the
provisos that when R.sub.1, or R.sub.2, or both represent phenyl
groups then proportion of the phenyl-containing divalent siloxane
units does not exceed 15 mol percent and when R.sub.1 or R.sub.2 or
both represent trifluoropropyl groups, then the proportion of the
trifluoropropyl-containing divalent siloxane units does not exceed
approximately 40 mol percent in the polysiloxane copolymer; (C) a
catalyst, and (D) an organohydrogen polysiloxane cross-linker, the
catalyst and the cross-linker being present in the uncured blend
composition in sufficient amount to cause the cross-linking
reaction to occur.
[0024] In one embodiment, the polysiloxane copolymer, the
--R.sub.1R.sub.2SiO-- group is --(CH.sub.3).sub.2SiO--, the
--R.sub.3R.sub.4SiO-- group is --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO--,
and the R.sub.5R.sub.6R.sub.7SiO-- group is
--CH.sub.3).sub.2(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)SiO- --.
[0025] In one embodiment, the --CH.sub.3(CH.sub.2.dbd.CH)Si-- group
is present in the proportion of 0.142 mol percent in the
polysiloxane copolymer.
[0026] In one embodiment, the silyliated silica includes
trimethylsilyl groups in such quantity that the carbon content of
the silyliated silica is in the range of approximately 4 to 8
percent by weight of the silyliated silica.
[0027] In one embodiment, the carbon content of the silyliated
silica is approximately 7.3 percent by weight of the silyliated
silica.
[0028] In one embodiment, the catheter includes barium sulfate
(BaSO.sub.4). The barium sulfate provides a radiopacity feature to
the catheter of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment,
the catheter of the present invention comprises about 13% by weight
barium sulfate.
[0029] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,948,539 and 6,040,369 are incorporated
herein by reference. More specifically, FIG. 2 and Col. 2, line 40
through Col. 11, line 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,539, and FIG. 2 and
Col. 2, line 40 through Col. 11, line 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,369
are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the elastomeric
compositions and the methods of making those elastomeric
compositions disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,948,539 and 6,040,369
are incorporated herein by reference. These patents disclose a
medical electrical lead and reinforced silicone elastomer
compositions used therein. These patents disclose the reinforced
silicone elastomer compositions for use as insulator for electrical
leads of implantable medical devices, and which have improved
overall mechanical properties over prior art insulators for leads.
However, it was not expected that use of these reinforced elastomer
compositions as a catheter material would provide a difference in
kind over catheters not having the reinforced elastomer
compositions of the present invention.
[0030] The following test data shows the unexpected and surprising
difference in kind between a catheter having the reinforced
elastomer compositions of the present invention over catheters not
having the reinforced elastomer compositions of the present
invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0031] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating tensile stress (psi) versus
tensile strain (%) for a catheter of the present invention versus a
prior art catheter having the same dimensions (i.e., outside and
inside diameters, and length). The catheter of the present
invention used in this example was made with a material made in the
same manner as described in the "Specific Example" in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,948,539 and 6,040,369, which are incorporated herein by
reference. The prior art catheter used in this example was made
using Dow Corning ETR, and had the same outside and inside
diameters as the catheter of the present invention. Both of these
catheters also included 13% by weight barium sulfate by mixing
barium sulfate in a suitable amount and manner prior to or during
the forming of the catheters. Two different sizes of both catheters
were made--a distal tubing (having an inside diameter of 0.021
inches and an outside diameter of 0.055 inches) and a proximal
tubing (having an inside diameter of 0.021 inches and an outside
diameter of 0.085 inches).
[0032] Tensile strain per unit stress, sometimes called axial
stiffness, is an elongation property. As shown in FIG. 2, between a
tensile strain of 0% to about 200%, the catheter of the present
invention (identified as line "A," which is an average of the
distal and proximal tubing made in accordance with the present
invention) is more elastic than a prior art catheter (identified as
line "B," which is an average of the distal and proximal tubing
made using Dow Corning ETR). In other words, less force, i.e.,
tensile stress (psi) is needed to achieve a tensile strain up to
about 200% for the catheter of the present invention over a prior
art catheter. This is an unexpected and surprising result because
the catheter of the present invention, as shown below, also has
better crush resistance and creep resistance (i.e., toughness) than
the prior art catheter. Typically, the tougher a material is, the
less elastic the material is. Thus, it was unexpected and
surprising that the catheter of the present invention has superior
toughness and elasticity over the prior art catheter between a
tensile strain of 0% to about 200%. Moreover, these results were
unexpected and surprising in view of the presence of 13% by weight
barium sulfate, which would be expected to reduce crush and creep
resistance and increase axial stiffness.
[0033] Since an implanted catheter typically does not experience a
tensile strain or elongation of more than 50%, the catheter of the
present invention provides a substantial improvement over the prior
art catheter in the applicable range of tensile strain or
elongation. At a tensile strain of about 50%, the tensile stress
for the catheter of the present invention is about 35% lower than
the tensile stress of a prior art catheter made with Dow Corning
ETR. This means, for example, that for a catheter of the same
dimensions (outside and inside diameters), the force at the spinal
anchor (not shown) due to the independent motion of an implantable
fluid access port 40 (as shown in FIG. 4) or implantable pump 50
(as shown in FIG. 5) will be about 35% less for the catheter of the
present invention than for a prior art catheter made with Dow
Corning ETR. Since the catheter of the present invention has this
improved property over prior art catheters, the catheter of the
present invention will be less likely to become dislodged from the
spine than prior art catheters.
[0034] The crush resistance of the catheter of the present
invention and the prior art catheter were also compared. More
specifically, the crush resistance of the two catheters having the
same dimensions, and both including 13% by weight barium sulfate,
were compared by subjecting each catheter to 50% compression during
cyclic loading. Crush resistance is defined herein as the number of
cycles of compressing each catheter so that the two walls of each
catheter were compressed to the thickness of one wall of the
catheter until large cracks appeared. This test is designed to
simulate the loading for the midline placement of a catheter within
a patient's spine where it is compressed between spinous processes,
and/or simulate the loading of a vascular catheter between the
clavicle and the first rib of a patient. In this test, the catheter
of the present invention had a crush resistance of more than 20
times greater than the crush resistance of the prior art
catheter.
[0035] The creep resistance for the elastomer of the present
invention and two prior art materials Dow Corning ETR and Dow
Corning MDX were also compared. The creep resistance of the three
materials was compared by subjecting each material to an applied
load over time. Creep resistance is defined herein as the
resistance to strain or elongation under an applied load over time.
As shown in FIG. 3, the elastomer of the present invention
(identified as line "A") had substantially more resistance to
strain under an applied load than the prior art Dow Corning ETR
(identified as line "B") or the prior art Dow Corning MDX
(identified as line "C").
[0036] The Examples and disclosure are intended to be illustrative
and not exhaustive. These examples and description will suggest
many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this
art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be
included within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar
with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific
embodiments described herein which are also intended to be within
the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present
invention should be interpreted solely from the following claims,
as such claims are read in light of the disclosure.
* * * * *