Patent ID: 6702972
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: A61M,F16L

Abstract:
A method of making a kink-resistant catheter; the method comprising forming an assembly by:(a) supporting a helical metallic coil having a plurality of turns on a mandrel; (i) the mandrel supporting a sheathing tube comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP); (b) introducing the helical coil while supported on the mandrel into a first tube; (i) the first tube being formed from a material which is flowable at a first temperature; and (ii) the first tube being received within a second tube to form an assembly; (A) the second tube being heat shrinkable at a second temperature which is equal to or greater than the first temperature; (c) heating the assembly to a temperature equal to or greater than the second temperature to cause shrinkage of the second tube; (i) the shrinkage of the second tube causing material of the first tube to flow between turns of the helical coil and substantially encapsulate the helical coil; (d) removing the mandrel from at least the first tube and the helical coil while leaving the sheathing tube within the helical coil; and (e) longitudinally tensioning the sheathing tube to remove the sheathing tube from at least the first tube and the helical coil.