Multi-cord fusing manufacturing process for catheter members

摘要

Medical tubing having a wall formed of multiple strands bonded together. One method for making the tubing utilizes multiple spools containing polymeric strands disposed about a central mandrel, with the strands aligned with and disposed evenly about the mandrel, with both mandrel and strands entering a die or other bonding device. Adjacent strands are bonded together to form a tube wall, the tube preferably having at least one lumen therethrough. Adjacent strands are lightly bonded in some embodiments and highly bonded in others. Bonding can be accomplished using heat, solvent welding, or adhesive. The strands making up the tube wall can be formed of materials differing between strands. One use of the tubing is for constructing angioplasty catheters.