Patent ID: 6685788
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making an applicator for delivering materials into a body cavity, the method comprising the steps of:a) unwinding a rolled sheet-like material; b) separating the sheet-like material into a plurality of insertion member blanks, having a longitudinal axis and at least one gripper end, the gripper end having a first region proximal a gripper end edge, a second region adjacent the first region and distal the gripper end edge, and a third region adjacent the second region; c) removing a plurality of discrete sections from the second region while maintaining non-removed section residing therebetween; d) forming the blank around a forming mandrel that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank, the forming mandrel having an outside perimeter in a region corresponding to the blank second region which is less than a perimeter in regions corresponding to the blank first and third regions, the perimeters of the forming mandrel defined by planes perpendicular to the longidutinal axis of the blank; and e) sealing a longitudinal seam defined by the formed blank to form an elongate formed member having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank and having an outside perimeter that is greater than an outside perimeter of the second region, thereby forming a gripper end having an indentation defined by a shoulder intermediate the second region and each of the first and third regions.