| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for a reinforced catheter which can be employed to withstand the damaging stresses experienced by catheters implanted in bodily tissues, particularly catheters implanted in the compressed area between the clavicle and first rib of a patient. The reinforced catheter is made from a nonmetallic inner tubular sleeve comprised wholly of a compliant material that is inserted selectively within a catheter. The reinforced catheter can be manufactured by immersing a portion of a catheter in freon which causes the immersed portion to swell. Thereafter, a reinforcing sleeve, having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the preimmersed catheter, but having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the immersed catheter, can be advanced site-selectively to a position within the catheter. Finally, the portions of the exposed catheter are allowed to return to their normal size around the inserted reinforcing sleeve. Alternatively, the reinforced catheter can be manufactured by advancing a reinforcing sleeve siteselectively to a position within the catheter by introducing pressurized gas within the catheter. As the reinforcing sleeve is moved to the opening of the catheter, a hollow rod, connected to an air pump, forces air ahead of and around the reinforcing sleeve, increasing the diameter of the catheter surrounding the reinforcing sleeve so that the reinforcing sleeve may be advanced. After the reinforcing sleeve is in position, the rod is removed and the catheter returns to its normal position surrounding the reinforcing sleeve. <IMAGE></p> |
