Importance

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Abstract

A method of forming a catheter comprising the steps of a) loading an inner layer on a mandrel; b) loading a reinforcing braid layer over the inner layer; c) adding a terminal tip to one end of the inner layer, the terminal tip applied directly over the inner layer with no portion of the reinforcing braid therebetween; d) loading a plurality of axial jacket sections over the braid layer, one of the axial jacket sections engaging an adjacent one of the plurality of axial jacket sections along a joint including substantially axially oriented seams; e) applying a shrink tube over the plurality of axial jacket sections and heating the shrink tube to cause the plurality of axial jacket sections to bond with each other, the braid layer and the inner layer; f) removing the shrink tube; and g) removing the mandrel. An aspect of the process relates to annealing an end of the braid layer and using a plastic sleeve compressed and melted about the annealed end to insure that the end of the braid layer lies flat on the inner layer. Where plural axial jacket sections are used, they are welded together by joints which include substantially axially oriented seams. In another embodiment, the axial jackets can be combined in a single coextruded, monolithic form having varying durometer and/or material compositions.

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First Claim