US5614136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process to form dimensionally variable tubular members for use in catheter procedures
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1995-03-02
•
Granted: 1997-03-25
•
Expires: 2015-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Process for forming a dimensionally variable tubular member for use in catheterization procedures. The process includes a mechanism for extruding a tubular member. A variable speed puller pulls the tubular member through or from the extrusion means at a selectively variable speed. A variable air or gas pressure supply supplies pressurized air or gas to the extrusion mechanism at a selectively variable rate. The dimensionally varying tubular member may be cut to desired lengths for use as catheter shafts or catheter soft tips. The process may include forming a tubular member having a dimensionally varying first layer and a dimensionally varying second layer, wherein a portion of the first layer at a distal end of the tubular member is removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry J. Pepin
- 👤 Michael S. Ferrandino
- 👤 Andrew G. Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/001; B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/355; B29C55/00; B29C55/22; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0063; B29C2948/00; B29C2948/92; B29C2948/92504; B29C2948/92514; B29C2948/9258; B29C2948/926; B29C2948/92609; B29C2948/92619; B29C2948/92638; B29C2948/92809; B29C2948/92819; B29C2948/92923; B29C2948/92933; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/10; B29C48/13; B29C48/92; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for performing the process of manufacturing a catheter having a dimensionally variable tip region for use in catheterization procedures, the apparatus comprising: a. extrusion means for extruding a tubular member, the tubular member having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and including the tip region; b. means for selectively varying an inside diameter of the tubular member, including means for providing gas to the lumen at a selectively variable rate; c. means for selectively varying an outside diameter of the tubular member independent of the means for selectively varying an inside diameter of the tubular member, including means for pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a selectively variable speed; and d. wherein the tip region includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first outside diameter formed by the pulling means pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a first speed, and the second portion having a second outside diameter smaller than the first outside diameter formed by the pulling means pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a second speed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for performing the process of manufacturing a catheter having a dimensionally variable tip region for use in catheterization procedures, the apparatus comprising: a. extrusion means for extruding a tubular member, the tubular member having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and including the tip region; b. means for selectively varying an inside diameter of the tubular member, including means for providing gas to the lumen at a selectively variable rate; c. means for selectively varying an outside diameter of the tubular member independent of the means for selectively varying an inside diameter of the tubular member, including means for pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a selectively variable speed; and d. wherein the tip region includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having a first outside diameter formed by the pulling means pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a first speed, and the second portion having a second outside diameter smaller than the first outside diameter formed by the pulling means pulling the tubular member from the extrusion means at a second speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulling means includes a puller coupled to a variable speed drive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further wherein the tip region includes the first portion having a first inside diameter formed by the means for providing gas to the lumen at a first rate, and the second portion having a second inside diameter formed by the means for providing gas to the lumen at a second rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selectively variably rate includes providing gas at a selectively variable volume and a selectively variable pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for supplying material to the extrusion means for forming the tubular member, and means for selectively varying the rate at which material enters the extrusion means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for selectively cutting the tubular member into desired lengths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including control means for providing signals to the means for selectively varying the inside diameter of the tubular member representative of desired tubular member dimensional characteristics.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for forming a dimensionally variable catheter having a tip region including a proximal portion and a distal portion for use in catheterization procedures, the process comprising the steps of: a. extruding a tubular member having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough by passing an extrudable material through an extruder; b. moving the tubular member from the extruder at a desired speed; c. providing air to the lumen from an air supply at a desired rate, including a first pressure and a first volume; and d. changing an inside diameter of the tubular member to form the catheter tip region by selectively changing the rate at which air is supplied to the lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A process for forming a dimensionally variable catheter having a tip region including a proximal portion and a distal portion for use in catheterization procedures, the process comprising the steps of: a. extruding a tubular member having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough by passing an extrudable material through an extruder; b. moving the tubular member from the extruder at a desired speed; c. providing air to the lumen from an air supply at a desired rate, including a first pressure and a first volume; and d. changing an inside diameter of the tubular member to form the catheter tip region by selectively changing the rate at which air is supplied to the lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the rate air is supplied to the lumen is selectively controlled by a controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 8, wherein by changing the rate at which air is supplied to the lumen, the inside diameter is changed to a second inside diameter within a catheter length of one inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 8, wherein forming the catheter tip region further comprises the step of: changing an outside diameter of the tubular member within the catheter tip region independent of changing the inside diameter, by changing the speed at which the tubular member moves from the extruder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11, wherein the speed is selectively controlled by a controller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 11, wherein by changing the speed at which the material is pulled from the extruder, the outside diameter is changed to a second outside diameter within a length of one inch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 8, further comprising the step of: cutting the tubular member into desired lengths.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 14, wherein cutting the tubular member into desired lengths is selectively controlled by a controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for forming a dimensionally variable tubular member having multiple layers for use with catheterization procedures, the dimensionally variable tubular member having a tip region, the process comprising the steps of: a. extruding a dimensionally varying tubular first layer by controlling the speed at which the first layer is extruded; b. extruding a dimensionally varying tubular second layer over the first layer by controlling the speed at which the second layer is extruded; and c. removing a portion of the first layer below the second layer at a distal end of the tubular member to form the tip region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for forming a dimensionally variable tubular member having multiple layers for use with catheterization procedures, the dimensionally variable tubular member having a tip region, the process comprising the steps of: a. extruding a dimensionally varying tubular first layer by controlling the speed at which the first layer is extruded; b. extruding a dimensionally varying tubular second layer over the first layer by controlling the speed at which the second layer is extruded; and c. removing a portion of the first layer below the second layer at a distal end of the tubular member to form the tip region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 16, further comprising the step of: a. reforming the distal end of the tubular member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 17, wherein the distal end is reformed through a heating process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: a. forming a tubular member over a mandrel; and b. forming a structural layer over the tubular member, wherein the first layer is formed over the structural layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2940126A
Cited
US3944641A
Cited
US3416531A
Cited
US3485234A
Cited
US3530536A
Cited
US3752617A
Cited
US3674404A
Cited
US3724985A
Cited
US3712782A
Cited
JPS5216570A
Cited
US4044765A
Cited
US4138457A
Cited
US4321226A
Cited
US4283447A
Cited
US4282876A
Cited
US4330497A
Cited
US4690175A
Cited
US4665604A
Cited
US4596563A
Cited
US4577543A
Cited
US4764324A
Cited
US4636346A
Cited
US4551292A
Cited
US4738666A
Cited
US4886506A
Cited
US4983169A
Cited
US4963306A
Cited
US5088991A
Cited
US4904431A
Cited
EP0363953B1
Cited
US5045072A
Cited
US5248305A
Cited
US5059375A
Cited
US5069673A
Cited
US5250034A
Cited
WO1993000953A1
Cited
US5371934A
Cited
EP0618059A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |