| 摘要 |
A medical device ( 10 ) including a tube ( 11 ) having a highly uniform and repeatable inner and outer diameter, the tube ( 11 ) possessing good trackability, pushability and torquability, and the tube ( 11 ) being highly resistant to collapse, necking or kinking during use. The tube ( 11 ) first includes a metal coil ( 14 ) in a stressed, radially expanded condition, the metal coil ( 14 ) preferably being formed as a flat wire. The tube ( 11 ) also includes a metal braid ( 16 ) extending over at least part of the coil ( 14 ). The tube ( 11 ) further includes a polymeric bonding layer ( 18 ) positioned over and contacting at least the coil ( 14 ). The polymeric layer ( 18 ) is preferably heat-shrinkable shrinkable tubing made of one or more of nylon or polyurethane. The tube ( 11 ) optionally includes an inner liner ( 20 ) beneath and in contact with at least part of the coil ( 14 ), the liner ( 20 ) preferably being composed of PTFE. The polymeric layer ( 18 ) maintains the coil ( 14 ) in its stressed, radially expanded condition, for example, by adhesion to the coil ( 14 ) (such as by thermal bonding to it). |
