Warren R Burnham

US Patent:

54962927, Mar 5, 1996

Filed:

Nov 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/140124

Inventors:

Warren Burnham - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604282

Abstract:

A catheter having an irregular outer diameter and/or an irregular inner diameter caused by embedment of a reinforcing member, thereby reducing sliding friction compared to conventional smooth-wall catheters.

US Patent:

47643242, Aug 16, 1988

Filed:

Mar 31, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/845492

Inventors:

Warren Burnham - Fort Edward NY

International Classification:

B29C 4706
B29C 5902

US Classification:

264103

Abstract:

A process for making a reinforced tubular product, especially a catheter, in a single extrusion step. A reinforcing member is heated when applied to an extruded thermoplastic catheter body of about its finished size which is softened by heating while tensioning the reinforcing member to control the surface deformation or penetration of the catheter wall by the reinforcing member to produce an irregular surface contour on the catheter body. The catheter body is then smoothed in a sizing die burying the reinforcement to form the finished product. The heating step may be in addition to or substituted by a curing step when a thermosetting or crosslinking material is used for the body. The reinforcement may be braid, or a helical wrap of one or more members applied at one or more controlled angles relative to the axis of the catheter to control the strength and torque transmission efficiency of the catheter. The process is particularly adapted to making a catheter having its reinforcement interrupted to provide a unitary non-reinforced distal tip. By this process, the radial location of the reinforcement in the wall of the catheter is easily controlled according to the material of the body, the heating conditions, and the tension on the reinforcing member.

US Patent:

52446190, Sep 14, 1993

Filed:

May 3, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/695522

Inventors:

Warren R. Burnham - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B29C 4788

US Classification:

264173

Abstract:

Method of making a catheter having an irregular outer diameter and/or an irregular inner diameter caused by embedment of a reinforcing member, thereby reducing sliding friction compared to conventional smooth-wall catheters.

US Patent:

57924015, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

May 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/653886

Inventors:

Warren R. Burnham - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

B29C 4702

US Classification:

264103

Abstract:

A process for making a reinforced tubular product, especially a catheter, in a single extrusion step. A reinforcing member is applied to an extruded thermoplastic catheter body of about its finished size which is softened by heating while tensioning the reinforcing member to control the surface deformation or penetration of the catheter wall by the reinforcing member to produce an irregular surface contour on the catheter body. The catheter body is then smoothed in a sizing die burying the reinforcement to form the finished product. The heating step may be in addition to or substituted by a curing step when a thermosetting or cross-linking material is used for the body. The reinforcement may be braid, or a helical wrap of one or more members applied at one or more controlled angles relative to the axis of the catheter to control the apparent stiffness and torque transmission efficiency of the catheter. The process is particularly adapted to making a catheter having its reinforcement interrupted to provide a unitary non-reinforced distal tip. By this process, the radial location of the reinforcement in the wall of the catheter is easily controlled according to the material of the body, the heating conditions, and the tension on the reinforcing member.

US Patent:

60173351, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/488083

Inventors:

Warren R. Burnham - Glens Falls NY

International Classification:

A61M 2500

US Classification:

604282

Abstract:

A process for making a reinforced tubular product, especially a catheter, in a single extrusion step. A reinforcing member is applied to an extruded thermoplastic catheter body of about its finished size which is softened by heating while tensioning the reinforcing member to control the surface deformation or penetration of the catheter wall by the reinforcing member to produce an irregular surface contour on the catheter body. The catheter body is then smoothed in a sizing die burying the reinforcement to form the finished product. The heating step may be in addition to or substituted by a curing step when a thermosetting or cross-linking material is used for the body. The reinforcement may be braid, or a helical wrap of one or more members applied at one or more controlled angles relative to the axis of the catheter to control the apparent stiffness and torque transmission efficiency of the catheter. The process is particularly adapted to making a catheter having its reinforcement interrupted to provide a unitary non-reinforced distal tip. By this process, the radial location of the reinforcement in the wall of the catheter is easily controlled according to the material of the body, the heating conditions, and the tension on the reinforcing member.