Polymer shrink tubes and novel uses therefor

摘要

Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall.

主权项

1. A fluoropolymer shrink tube tubular construct comprising:
a fluoropolymer shrink tube having a length, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first wall thickness, at least one longitudinal rib formed along and extending essentially the entire length of the inner surface of the tube, wherein the at least one rib defines a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness; and a thermoplastic polymer tube surrounded by the fluoropolymer shrink tube, wherein due to the prior application of sufficient energy to the tubular construct, the fluoropolymer shrink tube was shrunken about an exterior surface of the thermoplastic polymer tube and embossed the at least one longitudinal rib onto the exterior surface of the thermoplastic polymer tube such that a channel is provided in the exterior surface of the thermoplastic tube that corresponds dimensionally to the shape of the longitudinal rib, the fluoropolymer shrink tube adapted to be removed from the thermoplastic polymer tube after being shrunken about the exterior surface to expose the channel in the thermoplastic polymer tube.