Patent ID: 6533983
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A61M,B29C

Abstract:
A method of forming a cannula comprising the steps of:providing cannula mandrel assembly parts, said parts comprising a pair of nare forming mandrels each defining an end, a main body forming mandrel having a central recessed section and openings to receive and engage the ends of the nare forming mandrels, and a mouthpiece forming mandrel having an end connector, the end connector defining a slot dimensioned to mate slidingly with the central recessed section; assembling the parts to provide a cannula mandrel assembly defining interior spaces of the cannula; heating the cannula mandrel assembly to a desired temperature; providing a cannula forming polymeric material as a plastisol; dipping the heated cannula mandrel assembly in the plastisol to provide a desired thickness of partially cured polymer on the cannula mandrel assembly to form the cannula; heating the cannula material of the cannula to further cure the cannula material; and extracting the nare forming mandrels, the mouthpiece forming mandrel by removing the slot from the central recessed section, and the main body forming mandrel from the cannula.