CATHETERS WITH INTERMEDIATE LAYERS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM

• US 20140343537A1
• Filed: 03/17/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christian S. Eversull, Stephen A. Leeflang
• Original Assignee: Christian S. Eversull, Stephen A. Leeflang
• Inventors: Eversull, Christian S., Leeflang, Stephen A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,629,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0046 Coatings for improving slidability
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0012 with embedded structures, e.g. coils, braids, meshes, strands or radiopaque coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0045 multi-layered, e.g. coated coating materials A61L29/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/005 with embedded materials for reinforcement, e.g. wires, coils, braids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/38 by bending sheets or strips at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the article being formed and joining the edges
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/50 using internal forming surfaces, e.g. mandrels
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7542 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for making catheters having intermediate layers that minimize or eliminate gaps during layup.

Claims

1. A tubular body sized for introduction into a body lumen comprising first and second ends, and at least three concentric layers, including at least one intermediate layer, said intermediate layer comprising at least one inner and one outer layer bonded to one another, the inner layer capable of heat bonding to an underlying layer, and the outer layer capable of heat bonding to an overlying layer.

2. A tubular body sized for introduction into a body lumen comprising first and second ends, and at least three concentric layers, including at least one intermediate layer, said intermediate layer comprising at least one seam extending substantially between said first and second ends.

3. A method for constructing a tubular body sized for introduction into a body lumen comprising the steps of providing a strip of material comprising longitudinal edges extending between first and second ends;

positioning the strip around one or more underlying layers to form an intermediate layer;

directing one or more layers around the strip; and

heating the sub-assembly to bond the various layer layers and the strip.