Patent ID: 6558732
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a coated cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator lead or wire exhibiting enhanced in-vivo biostability, said method comprising:(a) applying an insulating radiation cross-linkable thermoplastic polyurethane coating to the cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator lead or wire in order to insulate said lead or wire from in-vivo biological elements; and (b) irradiating said thermoplastic polyurethane coating with gamma or electron beam radiation at a dosage level sufficient to convert said thermoplastic polyurethane coating to a thermoset polyurethane coating, said dosage level being between 1 and 100 Mrads, said thermoset coating being electrically insulating, and exhibiting enhanced in-vivo biostability, relative to said thermoplastic coating, as evidenced by a reduction in a property selected from the group consisting of environmental stress cracking, metal ion oxidation and combinations thereof.