Splittable catheter composite material and process.

摘要

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for preparing a catheter tube which has a longitudinal line of weakness extending axially there along as a place of preferential splitting. The method includes co-extruding two materials into the tubular cross-sectional shape, one of the materials forms a surface line along the other which extends radially to a level wherein the thickness of the tubing cross-section there at is less. When the co-extruded extra material is moved, a groove is in the surface of the tube which groove permits easy tearing there along. The product formed by this method is also disclosed and includes the co-extruded polymers configured into a hollow tube of uniform radial cross-section and thickness before the co-extruded portion is removed.