Catheter devices and methods for making them
First Claim
1. A method for making a tubular body using a braiding apparatus comprising a primary mandrel source configured to direct a primary mandrel along a central axis, a plurality of horn gears movably mounted around the central axis in a predetermined arrangement such that the horn gears rotate about respective horn gear axes and carriers travel along a generally circular around the central axis during operation of the braiding apparatus, and a dispenser configured to direct a conductor towards the primary mandrel from one of a plurality of locations comprising a first location disposed adjacent one of the carriers, a second location aligned with a horn axis of one of the horn gears, a third location outside the generally circular path, and a fourth location adjacent the central axis within the generally circular path, the method comprising:
- braiding a first portion of the primary mandrel by;
a) directing the primary mandrel along the central axis;
b) providing the dispenser at one of the plurality of locations;
c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the conductor is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a first configuration; and
d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the first portion of the primary mandrel;
braiding a second portion of the primary mandrel by;
a) moving the dispenser to another of the plurality of locations;
b) directing the primary mandrel further along the central axis; and
c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the conductor is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a second configuration different than the first configuration;
d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the second portion of the primary mandrel;
applying an outer jacket around the first and second portions of the primary mandrel and the reinforcement members; and
removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tubular devices are provided that include a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient'"'"'s body, a central lumen, a conductor extending between the proximal and distal ends adjacent the central lumen, reinforcement members including windings extending helically around the central lumen, and an outer jacket. The tubular device includes a first portion in which the conductor extends helically around the central lumen, and a second portion in which the conductor extends longitudinally and either a) all of the windings surround the central lumen and the conductor remains outside the windings, b) at least some of the windings pass between the central lumen and the conductor and at least some of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor, and c) all of the windings surround both the central lumen and the conductor. Methods for making such tubular devices are also provided.
4 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for making a tubular body using a braiding apparatus comprising a primary mandrel source configured to direct a primary mandrel along a central axis, a plurality of horn gears movably mounted around the central axis in a predetermined arrangement such that the horn gears rotate about respective horn gear axes and carriers travel along a generally circular around the central axis during operation of the braiding apparatus, and a dispenser configured to direct a conductor towards the primary mandrel from one of a plurality of locations comprising a first location disposed adjacent one of the carriers, a second location aligned with a horn axis of one of the horn gears, a third location outside the generally circular path, and a fourth location adjacent the central axis within the generally circular path, the method comprising:
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braiding a first portion of the primary mandrel by; a) directing the primary mandrel along the central axis; b) providing the dispenser at one of the plurality of locations; c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the conductor is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a first configuration; and d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the first portion of the primary mandrel; braiding a second portion of the primary mandrel by; a) moving the dispenser to another of the plurality of locations; b) directing the primary mandrel further along the central axis; and c) directing the conductor from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the conductor is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a second configuration different than the first configuration; d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the second portion of the primary mandrel; applying an outer jacket around the first and second portions of the primary mandrel and the reinforcement members; and removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for making a tubular body using a braiding apparatus comprising a primary mandrel source configured to direct a primary mandrel along a central axis, a plurality of horn gears movably mounted around the central axis in a predetermined arrangement such that the horn gears rotate about respective horn gear axes and carriers travel along a generally circular around the central axis during operation of the braiding apparatus, and a dispenser configured to direct an elongate member towards the primary mandrel from one of a plurality of locations comprising a first location disposed adjacent one of the carriers, a second location aligned with a horn axis of one of the horn gears, a third location outside the generally circular path, and a fourth location adjacent the central axis within the generally circular path, the method comprising:
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braiding a first portion of the primary mandrel by; a) directing the primary mandrel along the central axis; b) providing the dispenser at one of the plurality of locations; c) directing the elongate member from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the elongate member is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a first configuration; and d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the first portion of the primary mandrel; braiding a second portion of the primary mandrel by; a) moving the dispenser to another of the plurality of locations; b) directing the primary mandrel further along the central axis; and c) directing the elongate member from the dispenser towards the primary mandrel such that the elongate member is disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a second configuration different than the first configuration; d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the second portion of the primary mandrel; applying an outer jacket around the first and second portions of the primary mandrel, the elongate member, and the reinforcement members; and removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen.
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19. A method for making a tubular body using a braiding apparatus comprising a primary mandrel source configured to direct a primary mandrel along a central axis, a plurality of horn gears movably mounted around the central axis in a predetermined arrangement such that the horn gears rotate about respective horn gear axes and carriers travel along a generally circular around the central axis during operation of the braiding apparatus, and a plurality of dispensers, each dispenser configured to direct a conductor elongate member towards the primary mandrel from one of a plurality of locations comprising a first location disposed adjacent one of the carriers, a second location aligned with a horn axis of one of the horn gears, a third location outside the generally circular path, and a fourth location adjacent the central axis within the generally circular path, the method comprising:
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braiding a first portion of the primary mandrel by; a) directing the primary mandrel along the central axis; b) providing the dispensers at one of the plurality of locations; c) directing the conductors member from the dispensers towards the primary mandrel such that the conductors are disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a first configuration; and d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the first portion of the primary mandrel; braiding a second portion of the primary mandrel by; a) moving the dispenser to another of the plurality of locations; b) directing the primary mandrel further along the central axis; and c) directing the conductors from the dispensers towards the primary mandrel such that the conductors are disposed adjacent the first portion of the primary mandrel in a second configuration different than the first configuration; d) wrapping reinforcement members from the horn gears around the second portion of the primary mandrel; applying an outer jacket around the first and second portions of the primary mandrel, the elongate member, and the reinforcement members; and removing the primary mandrel to define a primary lumen. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification