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Method for forming a catheter having overlapping welds

  • US 5,951,929 A
  • Filed: 11/26/1997
  • Issued: 09/14/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a method of forming a catheter having an inner layer, an intermediate braided layer and an outer jacket, wherein the intermediate braided layer terminates axially before the inner layer, leaving a forward end portion of the inner layer exposed, the steps of:

  • a) before applying the outer jacket, loading a plastic sleeve over a forward end of the intermediate braided layer adjacent the forward end portion of the inner layer; and

    b) loading a first shrink tube over the plastic sleeve and heating the shrink tube to a temperature sufficient to melt the plastic sleeve;

    c) removing the first shrink tube;

    d) loading a terminal tip having an axial length over the forward end portion of the inner layer, into abutting relationship with the forward end of the intermediate braided layer such that the terminal tip is supported by said forward end portion of said inner layer along all of said axial length of said terminal tip and not reinforced anywhere along said axial length by said intermediate braided layer;

    e) loading the outer jacket over said intermediate braided layer into abutting contact with said terminal tip;

    f) loading a second shrink tube over the outer jacket and the terminal tip; and

    g) heating the second shrink tube to cause the second shrink tube to compress the outer jacket and to cause the outer jacket to melt into interstices of the intermediate braided layer and contact the inner layer.

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