MARKED PRECOATED MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

摘要

A medical device, such as a medical wire, which includes a coating applied to the surface of the medical wire. The coating includes a base layer bonded to the surface of the medical wire and an at least partially transparent low-friction top coat applied to the base layer. The base layer includes heat activated pigments that change color when heated above a color shifting temperature. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment in one area contrasts with the color of the pigment in an adjacent area without otherwise affecting the low-friction surface of the coating. The areas of different color created in locations along the length of the low-friction coated medical wire form markings which, as an example, enable a surgeon to determine the length of the medical wire inserted into a body by observing the markings on the portion of the marked medical wire located exterior to the body.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a coated helically wound wire, said method comprising:
(a) turning a first end of a helically wound wire a first designated quantity of times, wherein each of said turns of the first end is about a longitudinal axis of the helically wound wire; (b) turning a second end of the helically wound wire a second designated quantity of times, wherein each of said turns of the second end is about the longitudinal axis of the helically wound wire; (c) applying a designated coating on the helically wound wire along the longitudinal axis of the helically wound wire, the designated coating including a pigment of a designated color; (d) releasing the first end of the helically wound wire and the second end of the helically wound wire, wherein the designated coating forms a spiral line along a longitudinally extending portion of the helically wound wire; and (e) curing the designated coating.