BALLOONS FOR MEDICAL CATHETERS

摘要

A catheter and/or balloon for a medical catheter is formed from a blend of polymeric components, including a first crystalline polymeric component and a second softening polymeric component. The polymeric material also can include a third compatibilizing agent to facilitate blending the first two polymeric components together. The first polymeric component can be a polyester or a polyamide, and the second polymeric component can be a polyolefin, or an ethylene copolymer. The third polymeric component preferably is an ethylene copolymer containing a reactive group that forms a covalent bond with the first polymeric component. The polymeric material forming the balloon or catheter also can include a catalyst to catalyze a reaction between the compatibilizing ethylene copolymer and the second polymer component. The second, softening polymeric component also can include a silane coupling agent, to provide a reactive softening copolymer that bonds with the first strong polymeric component, to provide increased flexibility of catheters and balloons formed from the polymeric components. The properties of the balloon and catheter formed from the polymeric material can be enhanced by cross-linking by irradiation of the polymeric material.