Patent ID: 8439086

Claim:
A polymeric tubular structure having a multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment, a multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment, and a flexible segment intermediate said multi-layer strength-enhanced first end segment and said multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment, said polymeric tubular structure comprising: a first inner polymeric tubular member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface providing a passage for conveying fluid therethrough, said first inner polymeric tubular member longitudinally extending the entire length of said polymeric tubular structure, wherein said first inner polymeric tubular member is formed from one or more polymeric layers; a second polymeric tubular member circumferentially disposed on said outer surface at a first end of said first inner polymeric tubular member, said second polymeric tubular member longitudinally extending a predetermined distance on said first inner polymeric tubular member forming said multi-layer, strength-enhanced first end segment thereat; and a third polymeric tubular member circumferentially disposed on said outer surface at a second end of said first inner polymeric tubular member, said third polymeric tubular member longitudinally extending a predetermined distance on said first inner polymeric tubular member forming said multi-layer, strength-enhanced second end segment thereat, wherein said second polymeric tubular member and said third polymeric tubular member are spaced apart on said first inner polymeric tubular member such that said second polymeric tubular member and said third polymeric tubular member are not contiguous with one another.