Multilayered polymer structure for medical products

A multiple layer structure for fabricating medical products comprising:

• a core layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent, and having a thickness of about 0.2-2.5 mils;
• a solution contact layer of an ethylene and .alpha.-olefin copolymer positioned on a first side of the core layer, the solution contact layer having a thickness of about 3-8 mils;
• an outer layer positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer, the outer layer being a polyamide having a thickness from 0.2-2.0 mils;
• two tie layers, one of each adhered to the first and second sides of the core layer and positioned between the solution contact layer and the core layer and between the outer layer and the core layer;
• and
• wherein the structure is produced in a cast coextrusion process essentially free of water soluble slip agents.

A method for fabricating a multilayered structure comprising the steps of:

• providing a core layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent;
• providing a solution contact layer of a polyolefin positioned on a first side of the core layer;
• providing an outer layer positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer, the outer layer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, and polyesters;
• cast coextruding the outer layer, the core layer and the solution contact layer to define a multilayered structure;
• and
• wherein the step of cast coextruding is carried essentially free of water soluble slip agents.

A multiple layer structure for fabricating medical products comprising:

• a core layer having a plurality of core sublayers each of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent;
• a plurality of tie sublayers interposed between each set of adjacent core sublayers;
• a solution contact layer of a polyolefin positioned on a first side of the core layer;
• an outer layer positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer, the outer layer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, and polyesters;
• and
• wherein the structure is produced in a cast coextrusion process essentially free of water soluble slip agents.

A multiple layer structure for fabricating medical products comprising:

• a core layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent;
• a solution contact layer having three sublayers each of a polyolefin, the solution contact layer being positioned on a first side of the core layer;
• an outer layer positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer, the outer layer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, and polyesters;
• and
• wherein the structure is produced in a cast coextrusion process essentially free of water soluble slip agents.