Splittable tubular medical device and method for manufacture

摘要

This invention relates to a splittable medical device incorporating two sets of preferential tear lines. The first set of preferential tear lines preferably includes two longitudinally extending skives formed along the exterior surface of the proximal portion of the splittable medical device. The second set of preferential tear lines preferably includes a plurality of grooves formed along a distal portion of the interior portion of the splittable medical device. The skives should be substantially aligned with some of the grooves. This configuration facilitates splitting of the medical device along the skives and along one or more of the grooves to allow a clinician to split the medical device completely into two pieces. This invention includes a special mandrel having a plurality of ribs formed along a distal portion thereof and process that is used to manufacture the splittable medical device.