| 摘要 |
PURPOSE: A multi-lumen catheter is provided which has a low profile and a plurality of independent catheter tubes that are fused together to reduce their cross-sectional profile. CONSTITUTION: Each catheter tube(20a,20b,20c) has an outer surface(22), an inner surface(24) and a lumen(26). The catheter tubes are made of different thermoplastic materials. A mandrel(36) is first inserted into the lumen of each catheter tube to provide support. The catheter tubes are then juxtaposed to each other in an arrangement. Importantly, the outer surface of one catheter tube is in contact with the outer surface of at least one other catheter tube in the arrangement. The arrangement of catheter tubes is then held in a sleeve(38) and is advanced through the sleeve, and through a heating cylinder to fuse the outer surfaces of the catheter tubes. A cooling unit(36) is placed in the lumen of each catheter tube to prevent the inner surface of each catheter tube from melting. |
