Patent ID: 7445684
Filing Date: 2008-11-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of making a catheter, comprising the steps of: winding a filament onto a core member while rotating the core member relative to a filament source and passing the filament source in a first direction of axial movement relative to the core member; and reversing a direction of axial movement of the filament source while continuing to wind the filament onto the core member, whereby the filament is continuously wound onto the core member to form a first fibrous layer as the filament source is moved relative to the core member from a first axial position to a second axial position and then back to the first axial position; wherein said step of winding a filament comprises winding a group of filaments simultaneously; further comprising the step of providing a guide assembly having a filament engaging surface, and arranging said guide assembly such that the filament engaging surface lies in a plane which is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the core member; and further comprising the step of passing the group of filaments through the guide assembly to arrange the group of filaments into the plane which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core member and to cause the filaments within said group of filaments to be positioned side-by-side and packed tightly against one another as the group of filaments are wound onto the core member; further comprising the step of anchoring the group of filaments at or near a proximal end of the core member before winding the group of filaments onto the core member.