Access Vascular Inc - Gradient Annealing Polymeric Catheters
Summary
USPTO published patent application US20260097181A1 for Access Vascular Inc covering gradient annealing methods for polymeric catheter components with spatially varying mechanical properties. The application claims methods for producing catheters with improved kink resistance by spatially varying annealing to balance patient comfort with insertion ease. Inventors include Daniel T. Donahue, Michael Bassett, and Matthew M. Mannarino.
What changed
USPTO published patent application US20260097181A1 for Access Vascular Inc covering methods of spatially varying annealing of polymeric components in catheters to create mechanical property gradients. The claimed invention allows catheters to have soft sections for patient comfort while maintaining stiffer sections for ease of insertion, improving kink resistance compared to uniform catheters.
For medical device manufacturers developing catheters or polymeric tubing products, this publication indicates potential patent landscape considerations. Competitors should review the claims for freedom-to-operate implications when developing similar catheter products with gradient properties.
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- Monitor for patent grant or office action
Archived snapshot
Apr 12, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
GRADIENT ANNEALING OF POLYMERIC COMPONENTS
Application US20260097181A1 Kind: A1 Apr 09, 2026
Assignee
Access Vascular, Inc.
Inventors
Daniel T. Donahue, Michael Bassett, Matthew M. Mannarino
Abstract
Articles and devices, such as catheters, comprising spatially varying physical properties are generally provided. The articles and devices provided herein may be configured to exhibit gradients in mechanical properties, e.g., as the result of spatially varying annealing using methods also described herein. In some embodiments, the articles (e.g., catheters) provided herein are useful in the medical arts. Advantages of the articles, devices, and methods generally provided herein include improved kink resistance of devices and articles comprising polymeric tubes, as well as circumvention of otherwise important compromises between patient comfort (e.g., which may be increased via use of soft polymeric tubes) and ease of insertion (e.g., which may be improved in stiffer polymeric tubes) by spatially varying properties of articles or devices based on their function.
CPC Classifications
A61M 25/0013 A61M 2202/0007 A61M 2205/36
Filing Date
2025-06-18
Application No.
19242135
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