Patent ID: 8262978

Claim:
A method of forming a microtube device with axial variable geometry, comprising the following sequential steps: forming a complex augmented mandrel which cannot be formed by extrusion on a multi-axis fabrication device capable of micron or sub-micron positioning, said complex augmented mandrel having axial and radial dimensions that vary along a length of the mandrel, the mandrel having a core of at least one fiber, said core having at least one type of added material with a pre-determined cross-sectional shape placed on it in a continuous or non-continuous manner in at least one pre-determined location on the periphery of the core; coating said complex augmented mandrel with at least one coating to form at least a single layer thereon, producing a coated complex augmented mandrel; and removing said complex augmented mandrel from said coating so as to leave said coating forming said microtube device.