Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080213394 | Polymer-Based Antimicrobial Agents, Methods of Making Said Agents, and Products Incorporating Said Agents - An antimicrobial agent includes a metal ion in a hydrophilic polymer binder or carrier. The metal ion is preferably a silver ion and the hydrophilic polymer preferably comprises a sulfonated polyurethane or sulfonated polystyrene. According to a method of the invention, the antimicrobial agent is dissolved in dimethyl acetamide DMA, applied to paper by spraying, squeegee or the like and dried in an oven to flash off the solvent. The antimicrobial agent can be applied to other products by spraying and/or dipping and then drying to flash off solvent. According to another embodiment of the invention, the antimicrobial agent includes a water soluble polymer, at least one organic acid (e.g., one or more carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, formic acid, citric acid, malefic acid, ascorbic acid, salicyclic acid), and oligodynamic metal ions which react with counter-ions of the polymer such that the metal ions are bound to corresponding counter-ions, and the polymer controls a sustained release of said metal ion. The agent may also include a non-organic acid. (preferably boric acid and/or dictylborate). The water soluble polymer is preferably a sulfonated polymer (e.g., a sulfonated polyurethane, a sulfonated polystyrene, or a mixture thereof). | 09-04-2008 |
20080221668 | EXPANDABLE SUPPORTIVE BRANCHED ENDOLUMINAL GRAFTS - A method of manufacturing an endoluminal graft which is both expandable and supportive is provided in a form suitable for use in a branched body vessel location. The graft expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter. The support component is an expandable stent endoprosthesis. A liner is applied to the endoprosthesis in the form of a compliant wall material that is porous and biocompatible in order to allow normal cellular invasion upon implantation, without stenosis, when the expandable and supportive graft is at its second diameter. The supportive endoluminal graft is preferably provided as a plurality of components that are deployed separately at the branching body vessel location, one of which has a longitudinal seam defining leg portions within which the other components fit in a telescoping manner. | 09-11-2008 |
20090124773 | Crosslinked Polyolefins For Biomedical Applicatios And Method of Making Same - The invention relates to a polymer composition that includes a branched alkene which is cationically polymerizable as well as a glass-forming comonomer and/or a vinyl comonomer containing benzocyclobutene as the pendant group. The structure of the polymer composition can take various forms: linear random copolymer, linear block copolymer, star random copolymer, star block copolymer, and other hyperbranched polymers. The copolymer composition can undergoes crosslinking at elevated temperatures (preferably above 180° C.). | 05-14-2009 |
20090138067 | Expandable supportive branched endoluminal grafts - An endoluminal graft which is both expandable and supportive is provided in a form suitable for use in a branched body vessel location. The graft expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter. The support component is an expandable stent endoprosthesis. A liner is applied to the endoprosthesis in the form of a compliant wall material that is porous and biocompatible in order to allow normal cellular invasion upon implantation, without stenosis, when the expandable and supportive graft is at its second diameter. The supportive endoluminal graft is preferably provided as a plurality of components that are deployed separately at the branching body vessel location, one of which has a longitudinal seam defining leg portions within which the other components fit in a telescoping manner. | 05-28-2009 |
20090156893 | FLATTENED TUBULAR MESH SLING AND RELATED METHODS - The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material. | 06-18-2009 |
20090272862 | Assembly for Securing an Article on a Mounting Surface - An assembly for securing an article with a support member affixed or integral thereto to a mounting surface. The assembly includes first and second members having means for detachably coupling together the first and second members through magnetic field interaction therebetween. The first member includes means for detachably coupling to the support member of the article. The second member includes means for securing to the mounting surface, and a hook portion that receives the support member of the article. During use, the first member is coupled to the support member of the article, and the second member is secured to the mounting surface at a desired position. The first and second members are guided and coupled together by magnetic field interaction therebetween. The support member is then decoupled from the first member and moved such that it engages and is supported by the hook portion of the second member. | 11-05-2009 |
20090312836 | Ocular Lens - An ocular lens has a refractive optics structure formed from a polyisobutylene-based material and a glassy segment that is non-reactive to ocular fluid and that maintains in vivo transparency for a substantial time period. The material has a central elastomeric polyolefinic block and thermoplastic end blocks (such as a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene). The material is preferably flexible such that the refractive optics structure can be folded upon itself and introduced through a small scleral incision. The lens device includes an optic portion and preferably either an annular haptic element or one or more haptic elements adapted to rest within a capsular bag formed by a surgical procedure. A portion of the lens device may be loaded with at least one therapeutic agent that interferes with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the eye to protect against PCO. | 12-17-2009 |
20100063452 | Flexible Disposable Surgical Port - A surgical apparatus for introduction of laparoscopic instruments into an anatomical cavity through tissue at an entry site. The apparatus includes a body with a frustoconical-shaped wall. The body defines an interior cavity, an open bottom, and a substantially closed top wall with openings from which a plurality of ports extend upward therefrom. The ports are adapted to receive the laparoscopic instruments for introduction through the interior cavity and open bottom of the body into the anatomical cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the frustoconical-shaped wall of the body is placed through an incision in the umbilicus. In one aspect of the invention, the body is a unitary one-piece molded structure. A reinforcing belt or plate formed from a relatively hard material can be integral to the body. In another aspect, the apparatus is formed from a block copolymer of poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene), hereinafter referred to as “SIBS”, which unexpectedly provides the benefit that lubrication of the ports (or of the instruments extending through the ports) is avoided. | 03-11-2010 |
20100092540 | DRUG DELIVERY COMPOSITIONS AND MEDICAL DEVICES CONTAINING BLOCK COPOLYMER - A composition for delivery of a therapeutic agent is provided. The composition comprises: (a) a biocompatible block copolymer comprising one or more elastomeric blocks and one or more thermoplastic blocks and (b) a therapeutic agent, wherein the block copolymer is loaded with the therapeutic agent. The block copolymer is preferably of the formula X-(AB) | 04-15-2010 |
20100241046 | APPARATUS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF OCULAR DISORDERS - Apparatus and methods for relieving and treating glaucoma and other ocular disorders are disclosed. The apparatus includes a thin flexible membrane and preferably a tubular member. In another aspect of the invention, a surgical device for repairing ocular tissue includes a flexible membrane of a polymeric material comprising polyisobutylene. In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric material of the membrane is porous. | 09-23-2010 |
20100241208 | Pacemaker Lead and Method of Making Same - An improved pacemaker lead including a lead body supporting at least one flexible conductor element that provides an electrical signal path between a proximal connector element and a distal electrode. The lead body includes an insulating structure that protects the flexible conductor element(s) wherein the insulating structure is realized from a polymer blend of a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer and an isobutylene block copolymer. The mole fraction of the isobutylene block copolymer of the polymer blend is in the range of 2-15% (most preferably on the order of 10%). The polymer blend of the insulating structure has a maximum tensile strength in the range of 20-40 MPa (most preferably in a range of 25-35 MPa). In the preferred embodiment, the hardness of the polymer blend can be characterized by a Shore hardness in a range of 70-80 A. The flexible conductor element(s) preferably include a coiled wire conductor defining a central axis with an outer surface facing radially outward away from the central axis and an inner surface facing radially inward toward the central axis, and the insulating structure surrounds at least the outer surface of the coiled wire conductor (and more preferably encapsulates the coiled wire conductor). The polymer blend of the insulating structure has reduced oxygen permeability, and thus provides improved resistance to environmental stress cracking and metal ion induced oxidation while maintaining the flexibility and desired tensile strength of the lead body. | 09-23-2010 |
20100283164 | Ocular Lens - A method of making an ocular lens device (and resulting lens device) from a polyolefin copolymer material having a crosslinking component, wherein the material is processed to remove unwanted reaction byproducts that can contribute to reduced transparency of the polyolefin copolymer material in the ocular environment of the eye. | 11-11-2010 |
20110130657 | Protection Device and Method Against Embolization Agent Reflux - An apparatus is provided that is useful in an embolization procedure and enables substantially unrestricted forward flow of blood in a vessel and reduces or stops reflux (regurgitation or backward flow) of embolization agents which are introduced into the blood. A method of using the apparatus is also provided. | 06-02-2011 |
20110137399 | Microvalve Protection Device and Method of Use for Protection Against Embolization Agent Reflux - An apparatus is provided that is useful in an embolization procedure and enables substantially unrestricted forward flow of blood in a vessel and reduces or stops reflux (regurgitation or backward flow) of embolization agents which are introduced into the blood. A method of using the apparatus is also provided. | 06-09-2011 |
20110166425 | Flexible Disposable Surgical Port - A surgical apparatus for introduction of laparoscopic instruments into an anatomical cavity through tissue at an entry site. The apparatus includes a body with a frustoconical-shaped wall. The body defines an interior cavity, an open bottom, and a substantially closed top wall with openings from which a plurality of ports extend upward therefrom. The ports are adapted to receive the laparoscopic instruments for introduction through the interior cavity and open bottom of the body into the anatomical cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the frustoconical-shaped wall of the body is placed through an incision in the umbilicus. In one aspect of the invention, the body is a unitary one-piece molded structure. A reinforcing belt or plate formed from a relatively hard material can be integral to the body, and separately formed port caps each having a septum may be bonded to the ports. | 07-07-2011 |
20110196464 | Pacemaker Lead and Method of Making Same - An improved pacemaker lead including a lead body supporting at least one flexible conductor element that provides an electrical signal path between a proximal connector element and a distal electrode. The lead body includes an insulating structure that protects the flexible conductor element(s) wherein the insulating structure is realized from a polymer material comprises an isobutylene block copolymer. The polymer material of the insulating structure has a maximum tensile strength in the range between 20 MPa and 40 MPa (most preferably in a range between 25 MPa and 35 MPa). In the preferred embodiment, the hardness of the polymer material of the insulating structure can be characterized by a Shore hardness in a range between 70A and 80A. In the preferred embodiment, the isobutylene block copolymer consists of a first polymer block component containing isobutylene-derived monomer units and a second polymer block component derived from a monomer component other than isobutylene (most preferably, styrene) with mole fraction of said second polymer block component as part of said isobutylene block copolymer in a range between 30% and 40%. The flexible conductor element(s) preferably include a coiled wire conductor defining a central axis with an outer surface facing radially outward away from the central axis and an inner surface facing radially inward toward the central axis, and the insulating structure surrounds at least the outer surface of the coiled wire conductor (and more preferably encapsulates the coiled wire conductor). The polymer material of the insulating structure has reduced oxygen permeability, and thus provides improved resistance to environmental stress cracking and metal ion induced oxidation while maintaining the flexibility and desired tensile strength of the lead body. | 08-11-2011 |
20110307057 | Polymer Adhesive for an Intraocular Lens that Minimizes Posterior Capsule Opacification - Various polymers are provided that can be polymerized in the lens capsule with the ability to covalently bond an intraocular lens implant to the posterior capsule of the eye such that there is no space available between the intraocular lens implant and the lens capsule for lens epithelial cells to proliferate and thereby significantly reducing posterior capsule opacification. | 12-15-2011 |
20120046743 | Ocular Lens - An ocular lens has a refractive optics structure formed from a polyisobutylene-based material and a glassy segment that is non-reactive to ocular fluid and that maintains in vivo transparency for a substantial time period. The material has a central elastomeric polyolefinic block and thermoplastic end blocks (such as a triblock polymer backbone comprising polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene). The material is preferably flexible such that the refractive optics structure can be folded upon itself and introduced through a small scleral incision. The lens device includes an optic portion and preferably either an annular haptic element or one or more haptic elements adapted to rest within a capsular bag formed by a surgical procedure. A portion of the lens device may be loaded with at least one therapeutic agent that interferes with proliferation of the epithelial cells of the eye to protect against PCO. | 02-23-2012 |
20120089102 | Microvalve Protection Device and Method of Use for Protection Against Embolization Agent Reflux - An endovascular valve device for use in a vessel during a therapy procedure includes a catheter having at its distal end a valve. The valve is constructed of a braid of elongate first filaments coupled together at their proximal ends in a manner that the first filaments are movable relative to each other along their lengths. The first filaments have a spring bias that radially expands the valve. A filter is provided to the braid formed by electrostatically depositing or spinning polymeric second filaments onto the braided first filaments. The lumen of the catheter is in communication with the center of the valve. | 04-12-2012 |
20120116351 | Method of Operating a Microvalve Protection Device - An endovascular valve device for use in a vessel during a therapy procedure includes a catheter having at its distal end a valve. The valve is constructed of a braid of elongate first filaments coupled together at their proximal ends in a manner that the first filaments are movable relative to each other along their lengths. The first filaments have a spring bias that radially expands the valve. A filter is provided to the braid formed by electrostatically depositing or spinning polymeric second filaments onto the braided first filaments. The lumen of the catheter is in communication with the center of the valve. The device is used to provide a therapy in which a therapeutic agent is infused into an organ. | 05-10-2012 |
20130025781 | FLATTENED TUBULAR MESH SLING AND RELATED METHODS - The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material. | 01-31-2013 |
20130079731 | Flow Directional Infusion Device - A flow directional infusion device includes a filter valve located at the distal end of a catheter. The filter valve constrains delivery of an embolic agent through the catheter to the locus of the aneurysm. In order to provide such delivery, the valve includes a longitudinal opening, radial opening or is otherwise partially permeable in a direction of the aneurysm so that the embolic agent or a delivery element for such agent is limited toward the aneurysm. In addition, the filter valve permits and directs blood flow within the blood vessel about the aneurysm during the treatment without obstructing the vessel and without allowing retrograde flow of the embolic agent in the vessel upstream of the aneurysm. | 03-28-2013 |
20130165905 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, has a fixed portion within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both, such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the inflation or drainage lumen, or both to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or wall of the catheter. | 06-27-2013 |
20130184631 | Method, Surgical Kit and Device for Treating Glaucoma - A surgical kit includes at least one instrument and at least one implant device. The instrument has a needle body used to form a surgical passage through ocular tissue. The device includes a flexible tube that defines a duct for diverting aqueous humor with an outer surface having a maximal cross-sectional dimension that is less than the maximal cross-sectional dimension of the needle body. The device incorporates sealing means including at least one element that define a maximal cross-sectional dimension that is greater that the maximal cross-sectional dimension of the needle body and that are operably disposed within the surgical passage and form a seal between the surrounding ocular tissue and the element(s) as well as fixate the device in the surgical passage. The kit (and devices thereof) can be used as part of a surgical method to divert aqueous humor to a space formed in ocular tissue. | 07-18-2013 |
20130226166 | Renal Nerve Neuromodulation Device - A neuromodulation device includes an ablation valve with electrodes provided about its circumference. The valve dynamically reacts to fluid pressure within the vessel. When a pressure within and distal said ablation valve is greater than the body fluid pressure within the vessel, said ablation valve closes and the electrodes move out of contact with the endothelium of the vessel. When a pressure within and distal the ablation valve is less than the body fluid pressure upstream of the valve, the valve opens such that the electrodes are in circumferential contact with the endothelium. Fluid can be injected into the valve to alter the local pressure about the valve and force the electrodes into contact with the endothelium. | 08-29-2013 |
20130237965 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen, has a fixed portion within the drainage lumen just proximal of an increased stretching portion, and prevents fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state. The stretch valve has a sliding portion slidably disposed within the drainage lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the sliding portion slides within the drainage lumen to permit fluid to pass through the balloon drainage port and/or inner wall of the catheter. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237966 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen shaft having an outer diameter, a distal tip, a proximal catheter end with a drain end and a proximal inflation end. The multi-lumen shaft defines a drain lumen, a distal hollow balloon portion, at least one inflation lumen, and a drainage port. A hollow stretch valve is coaxially disposed in the drainage lumen and has a radially self-expandable proximal section fixedly connected within the drain lumen by self-expansion, a flexible intermediate section longitudinally movable within the drain lumen, and a distal plug movably positioned in the drain lumen to prevent fluid from passing through the drainage port in a steady state and being slidably disposed within the drain lumen such that, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal plug slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port. | 09-12-2013 |
20130274423 | Low Friction Polymeric Compositions As Well As Devices And Device Fabrication Methods Based Thereon - A polymer blend is provided that includes a polycarbonate polyurethane polymer component having a water contact angle greater than 75 degrees and a polyurethane polymer component having a water contact angle less than 75 degrees. The polycarbonate polyurethane component and the other polyurethane polymer can be immiscible with respect to one another, and thus are phase separated in the polymer blend. The weight percentage of the polycarbonate polyurethane polymer component is greater than the weight percentage of the other polyurethane polymer component in the blend. The polymer blend is well suited for realizing a low friction surface of a variety of medical and non-medical devices. | 10-17-2013 |
20130297003 | Endoluminal Drug Applicator and Method of Treating Diseased Vessels of the Body - A stent-graft is coupled to an elongate flexible member at or near the distal end of the flexible member and configurable in both a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The stent-graft includes an expandable stent fixed to the flexible member. A portion of the expandable stent defines a generally tubular structure in its expanded configuration. A porous polymeric mesh interfaces circumferentially about the portion of the stent defines a generally tubular structure. The mesh is expandable with the stent and carries at least one therapeutic agent. When the stent-graft is in its expanded configuration and contacts the treatment site, the at least one therapeutic agent is transferred to the treatment site by operation of contact between the stent-graft and the treatment site. The mesh can define distal and proximal openings that allow for fluid flow through the stent-graft when the stent-graft is in the expanded configuration. | 11-07-2013 |
20140012234 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety catheter for draining a given fluid includes a hollow stretch valve and a flexible, multi-lumen, balloon drainage catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a drain lumen. and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the drain lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit the given fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the drain lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port, and, in a stretched state when the proximal catheter end is stretched, the distal sliding portion slides within the drain lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the drain lumen. | 01-09-2014 |
20140012235 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety balloon catheter includes a stretch valve and a balloon catheter having a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining an interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, an inflation lumen extending through the shaft to the interior and shaped to convey inflation fluid thereto and from, a second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The hollow stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and is positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an over-inflated state, the distal sliding portion slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. | 01-09-2014 |
20140058008 | Ocular Lens - A method of making an ocular lens device (and resulting lens device) from a polyolefin copolymer material having a crosslinking component, wherein the material is processed to remove unwanted reaction byproducts that can contribute to reduced transparency of the polyolefin copolymer material in the ocular environment of the eye. | 02-27-2014 |
20140207178 | Dynamic Microvalve Protection Device with Associated Balloon Element for Therapeutic Intravascular Procedures - An apparatus includes a delivery catheter having a deployable dynamic valve that rapidly opens and closes in response to relative fluid pressure thereabout. The valve is maintained in a collapsed configuration during introduction to a treatment site. A balloon element is provided between the delivery catheter and the valve and is adapted such that upon inflation it can move the valve from the collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration. | 07-24-2014 |
20140276663 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety balloon catheter includes a flexible, multi-lumen balloon catheter and a hollow barbell-shaped stretch valve. The balloon catheter has a proximal catheter end, a balloon defining a balloon interior to be inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon interior and shaped to convey the inflation fluid to and from the balloon interior, and a hollow second lumen parallel to the inflation lumen; and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon interior to the second lumen. The stretch valve is shaped to permit a fluid to pass therethrough and positioned in the second lumen to at least partially slide therein such that, in a steady state, a distal barbell end of the stretch valve prevents the inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, in an actuated state, the distal barbell end slides within the second lumen to permit the inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. | 09-18-2014 |
20140296679 | Pacemaker Lead and Other Medical Implant Devices - An implantable medical device for electrical stimulation or sensing includes a body supporting at least one flexible elongate conductor element. The body includes an insulating structure that protects the flexible conductor element(s). The insulating structure is realized from multiple polymer layers wherein at least one of the polymer layers is formed from a polymer blend of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and an isobutylene block copolymer. In one particular embodiment, the insulating structure of the body includes at least a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer and a third polymer layer, where the second polymer layer covers and interfaces to the first polymer layer, and the third polymer layer covers and interfaces to the second polymer layer. The first polymer layer is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane material. The third polymer layer is formed from an isobutylene block copolymer. The intermediate second polymer layer is compatible with the particular polymers of the first and third polymer layers and is formed from a polymer blend of a thermoplastic polyurethane material and an isobutylene block copolymer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140309394 | Crosslinked Polyolefins for Biomedical Applications and Method of Making Same - The invention relates to a polymer composition that includes a branched alkene which is cationically polymerizable as well as a glass-forming comonomer and/or a vinyl comonomer containing benzocyclobutene as the pendant group. The structure of the polymer composition can take various forms: linear random copolymer, linear block copolymer, star random copolymer, star block copolymer, and other hyperbranched polymers. The copolymer composition can undergoes crosslinking at elevated temperatures (preferably above 180° C.). | 10-16-2014 |
20140371651 | Inserter for Tubular Medical Implant Devices - An inserter is provided for inserting a tubular medical implant device into tissue. The inserter includes a rigid rod extending along a longitudinal axis. The rod has a distal portion that defines an open slot. The open slot extends diametrically through the rod along the longitudinal axis to a base. The open slot is configured to receive and release the tubular medical implant device. | 12-18-2014 |
20140371672 | Stretch Valve Balloon Catheter and Methods for Producing and Using Same - A safety balloon catheter includes a catheter having a stretch valve, a connector, a balloon inflated with an inflation fluid, a hollow inflation lumen extending through the catheter to the balloon and conveying inflation fluid thereto and therefrom, a hollow second lumen, and a balloon drainage port fluidically connecting the balloon to the second lumen. The stretch valve has a hollow base fixed in the second lumen at a proximal catheter end and shaped to permit a fluid therethrough and a hollow plug slidably positioned in the second lumen at a given distance from the base to, in a steady state, prevent inflation fluid from passing through the drainage port and, when actuated, slide within the second lumen to permit inflation fluid to pass through the drainage port and into the second lumen. The connector connects the base and the plug and has a length greater than the given distance. | 12-18-2014 |