Patent ID: 6013728
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61L,A61M,C08L

Abstract:
A radiation cross-linked polymeric blend for use in making a catheter component consisting essentially of:about 60-77% by weight of the total blend composition of a polyester first polymeric component, said polyester being prepared from the group of dicarboxylic acids selected from aromatic dicarboxylic acids having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and at least one glycol selected from the group consisting of glycols having the formula HO(CH.sub.2).sub.n OH, where n is an integer from 2 to 10, neopentyl glycol and cyclohexane dimethanol;about 23-40% by weight of the total blend composition of a second polymer component having a Shore hardness less than 75 D, selected from the group consisting of polyolefins having a density less than 0.93, ethylene copolymers having the formula E'X' or E'X'Y', where E' is ethylene, and is 60-75% by weight of the ethylene copolymer, and where X' is 25-40% by weight of the ethylene copolymer, and X' is selected from the group consisting of methylacrylate, ethylacrylate, propylacrylate, butylacrylate, and mixtures thereof, and Y' is selected from the group consisting of .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, and anhydrides comprising about 0.5-15% by weight of the ethylene copolymer, and polyester block copolymers; andfrom about 0.25% to about 2.5% by weight of the total blend composition of a compatibilizing ethylene copolymer having the formula E/X/Y whereE is ethylene,X is an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer derived from at least one of alkylacrylate, alkylmethacrylate, alkyl vinyl ether, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, or mixtures thereof, where the alkyl groups contain 1-12 carbon atoms, andY is an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a reactive group that forms a covalent bond with said first polymeric component and that blends compatibly with said second polymer component; andwherein said polymeric blend is irradiated to provide said polymeric blend with a compliance of about 0.02-0.03 mm/atm as measured in terms of expansion per pressure applied to a catheter component formed from said polymeric blend at a mean burst pressure of about 20 atm.