Importance

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Abstract

A catheter having an elongated tubular body with a distal end, a proximal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween. The body is made from three layers of extruded plastic which adhere to each other. The body has an inner and outer layer made from a polymer, and a middle layer also made from a polymer. The middle layer is more flexible and has a lower melt temperature than the inner and outer layers. The catheter further includes an integral fuseless distal tip. The distal tip is made from the middle layer and no more than one of the inner and outer layers. The distal tip is softer than portions of the body proximal thereto. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of making a fuseless soft tip tubular catheter, of the type described above. The method involves extruding the catheter so as to form the tubular body having the inner, outer and middle layers. Thereafter, at least the distal end of the catheter is heated so as to form a distal tip. The distal tip is made from the middle layer and no more than one of the inner and outer layers. The distal tip is softer than portions of said body proximal thereto.

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First Claim