Dip-molded medical devices from cis-1,4-polyisoprene
AssigneeApex Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark W. McGlothlin, Eric V. Schmid
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Medical devices of synthetic rubber are prepared from cis-1,4-polyisoprene by dip molding without the use of sulfur containing components. The devices have surprisingly favorable tensile characteristics despite what is known in regard to synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene. In addition, the absence of both the proteins present in natural rubber and the sulfur components that are typically used in vulcanization of both natural rubber and cis-1,4-polyisoprene of the prior art renders the devices freely usable without causing the user to suffer Type I or Type IV allergic reactions that typically arise from contact with natural rubber.
Claims34
A medical device for use in contact with living human tissue, comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, said device being both protein-free and sulfur-free, said device formed by dip-molding, and said cis-1,4-polyisoprene crosslinked subsequent to said dip-molding to an extent sufficient to achieve a tensile set value of less than 5%.
A medical device in accordance with claim 11 in which said synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene is crosslinked by high-energy electron-beam or gamma radiation in the presence of a sensitizing amount of a peroxide compound.
A medical device designed for elastic expansion by inflation during use to increase a dimension of said device by at least about 100% and to substantially return said linear dimension to its uninflated length upon deflation, said device comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene formed by dip-molding and crosslinked subsequent to said dip-molding to an extent sufficient to achieve a tensile set value of less than 5%.
A surgical or medical examination glove comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene that is both protein-free and sulfur-free, and that has been formed by dip-molding from a latex of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and cured with a peroxide curing agent subsequent to dip-molding during immersion in a molten salt bath.
A surgical or medical examination glove comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene that is both protein-free and sulfur-free, and that has been formed by dip-molding from a latex of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, said latex having been partially cured by radiation prior to said dip-molding in the substantial absence of chemical crosslinking radiation agents and further cured by radiation subsequent to dip-molding.
A surgical or medical examination glove comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene that is both protein-free and sulfur-free, and that has been formed by dip-molding from a latex of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, said latex having been partially cured by radiation prior to said dip-molding in the presence of a sensitizing amount of a chemical radiation sensitizing agent and further cured by radiation subsequent to dip-molding.
A surgical or medical examination glove comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene that is both protein-free and sulfur-free, and that has been formed by dip-molding from a latex of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene, said latex having been partially cured by a peroxide curing agent prior to said dip-molding and further cured by said peroxide curing agent subsequent to dip-molding.
A medical device for use in contact with living human tissue, said device being comprised of synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and free of protein and of sulfur from cross-linking agents or promoters, said device being formed by dip-molding, crosslinked by a peroxide crosslinking agent, and treated by immersion in a molten salt bath subsequent to dip-molding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.