IMPROVED CATHETER ATTACHMENT JOINTS WITH POLYMER ENCAPSULATION

摘要

Tubular catheters (10) having two or more axially adjacent segments (14, 16, 18) are reinforced by encapsulation in a polymeric layer (20) which provides enhanced tensile strength. Exemplary polmers include parylene, silicone, PTFE, PVDF and the like. The layers (20) are preferably vapor coated to thicknesses of 100 micron meters or below. Specific rapid exchange and needle injection embodiments are illustrated.