COMPOSITE MATERIAL HAVING A LUBRICOUS SURFACE FOR CATHETER USE

摘要

A low friction intravascular catheter (10) component formed of a polymer matrix having incorporated within the matrix a finely divided lubricous particulate. The polymer matrix preferably is a thermoplastic polymer and suitable lubricous particulate includes graphite, molybdenum disulfide, TiC, MoC, graphite difluoride, and fluoropolymers. Typical components made of this low-friction material include the inner (12) or outer tubular members (14) of fixed-wire and over-the-wire dilatation catheters (10). A polysiloxane fluid may be incorporated within the matrix along with the lubricous particulate matter.