# US 2026/0256992 A1 · UHMWPE Dip-Coated Tubes

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- Number: US 2026/0256992 A1
- Document ID: US20260256992A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 19/656,875
- Filed: 2026-04-23
- Published: 2026-09-03
- Earliest claimed: 2022-08-26
- Assignees: Zeus Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Zeus Company LLC
- Inventors: Bhavya SINGHI; John Richard CAMPANELLI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260256992A1

## CPC

- A61L 29/041: {obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds}
- A61L 29/085: {Macromolecular materials}
- A61L 29/049: {Mixtures of macromolecular compounds}
- A61L 29/14: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. lubricating compositions}
- A61M 25/0009: {Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes}
- A61M 39/0247: {Transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body}
- A61M 2025/0047: {the inner layer having a higher lubricity}
- A61M 2039/0258: {for vascular access, e.g. blood stream access}
- A61M 2039/0279: {for introducing medical instruments into the body, e.g. endoscope, surgical tools}
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

The disclosure provides tubes comprising ultra high molecular weight poly(ethylene) (UHMWPE). Such tubes can have thin walls and be suitable for applications, e.g., as catheter liners. Methods for preparing such tubes include dip coating a core into a dispersion comprising the UHMWPE, where the dispersion advantageously further comprises an eco-friendly solvent and can optionally include one or more additional components (e.g., fillers and/or other polymers).

## Claims

### Claim 1

An Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) tube,
wherein the tube comprises distinct, partially fused UHMWPE particles, wherein the tube exhibits:
a. an average wall thickness of 0.004″ or less; and
b. a tensile stress at break greater than 6 MPa; and
c. a storage modulus of greater than 20 MPa at 37° C.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein at least about 50% by weight of the UHMWPE tube comprises the UHMWPE.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, further comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or low density polyethylene (LDPE) in amounts of less than about 50% by weight, based on a total weight of the UHMWPE tube.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, further comprising one or more particulate fillers in amounts of less than about 50% by weight, based on a total weight of the UHMWPE tube.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the UHMWPE tube comprises no solvent.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the average wall thickness is 0.0001″ to about 0.004″

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the average wall thickness is 0.0002″ to 0.002″.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the UHMWPE tube exhibits a change in the storage modulus between 23° C. and 37° C. of 10 MPa/° C. or less.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the UHMWPE tube has a tensile stress at break greater than 7 MPa.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the UHMWPE tube has an abrasion-resistant inner surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 1, wherein the UHMWPE tube has a lubricious inner surface with a coefficient of friction less than 0.2.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

An Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) catheter liner comprising the UHMWPE tube of claim 1.

### Claim 13

An Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) tube with an average wall thickness of 0.004″ or less, wherein the UHMWPE tube comprises distinct, partially fused UHMWPE particles.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein at least about 50% by weight of the UHMWPE tube comprises the UHMWPE.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, further comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or low density polyethylene (LDPE) in amounts of less than about 50% by weight, based on a total weight of the UHMWPE tube.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, further comprising one or more particulate fillers in amounts of less than about 50% by weight, based on a total weight of the UHMWPE tube.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the UHMWPE tube comprises no solvent.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the average wall thickness is 0.0001″ to about 0.004″

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the average wall thickness is 0.0002″ to 0.002″.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the UHMWPE tube exhibits a change in the storage modulus between 23° C. and 37° C. of 10 MPa/° C. or less.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the UHMWPE tube has a tensile stress at break greater than 7 MPa.

### Claim 22 (depends on 13)

The UHMWPE tube of claim 13, wherein the UHMWPE tube has an abrasion-resistant inner surface.

### Claim 23 (depends on 13)

An Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) catheter liner comprising the tube of claim 13.