Bio-Compatible Catheter

Abstract

A bio-compatible lumen bearing device such as a catheter formed of a polymeric material having a titanium surface bonded to the underlying exposed catheter surface. The titanium surface is employed in patients to improve bio-compatibility and enhance lubricity during insertion and removal.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A lumen bearing component comprising:
 a lumen defined by an interior surface of a surrounding wall having an exterior surface and additionally having end wall surfaces communicating between said interior surface and said exterior surface, said lumen formed of polymeric material which is operatively flexible for intravenous insertion and navigation; and   a titaniumized surface formed upon substantially all of said exterior surface of said surrounding wall;   said titaniumized surface imparting increased lubricity and bio-compatibility to said polymeric material during a contact thereof with a body of a patient in which said catheter is positioned; and   said titaniumized surface being comprised exclusively of titanium.   
     
     
         2 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  further comprising: said titaniumized surface being the only surface formed upon substantially all of said exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  further comprising: said titaniumized surface covering substantially all of said end wall surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 2  further comprising: said titaniumized surface covering substantially all of said end wall surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also covering a portion of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         6 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also covering a portion of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         7 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also covering a portion of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         8 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also covering a portion of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         9 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also completely covering substantially all of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         10 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also completely covering substantially all of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         11 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also completely covering an entire area of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         12 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a second layer of said titaniumized surface also completely covering an entire area of said interior surface. 
 
     
     
         13 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface covering said exterior surface is formed in said first layer having a thickness substantially being in a range between 20-60 nm; and 
 forming said thickness of said first layer within said range thereby defining a flexible said first layer of said titaniumized surface which maintains a flexibility of the underlying polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         14 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 2  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface covering said exterior surface is formed in said first layer having a thickness substantially being in a range between 20-60 nm; and 
 forming said thickness of said first layer within said range thereby defining a flexible said first layer of said titaniumized surface which maintains a flexibility of the underlying polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         15 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 3  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface covering said exterior surface is formed in said first layer having a thickness substantially being in a range between 20-60 nm; and 
 forming said thickness of said first layer within said range thereby defining a flexible said first layer of said titaniumized surface which maintains a flexibility of the underlying polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         16 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 7  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface covering said exterior surface is formed in said first layer having a thickness substantially being in a range between 20-60 nm; and 
 forming said thickness of said first layer within said range thereby defining a flexible said first layer of said titaniumized surface which maintains a flexibility of the underlying polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         17 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 8  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface covering said exterior surface is formed in said first layer having a thickness substantially being in a range between 20-60 nm; and 
 forming said thickness of said first layer within said range defining a flexible said first layer of said titaniumized surface which maintains a flexibility of the underlying polymeric material. 
 
     
     
         18 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 1  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface defining a complete barrier to a communication between said body of said patient and said polymeric material, and 
 wherein said barrier prevents blood clot formation, infection, and allergic reactions in said patient caused by such a said communication. 
 
     
     
         19 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 16  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface defining a complete barrier to a communication between said body of said patient and said polymeric material, and 
 wherein said barrier prevents blood clot formation, infection, and allergic reactions in said patient caused by such a said communication. 
 
     
     
         20 . The lumen bearing component of  claim 17  wherein:
 said titaniumized surface defining a complete barrier to a communication between said body of said patient and said polymeric material, and 
 wherein said barrier prevents blood clot formation, infection, and allergic reactions in said patient caused by such a said communication.