US4292270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making coude catheters
Assignee: Allegiance Corp
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Filing: 1979-06-22
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Granted: 1981-09-29
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Expires: 1999-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of making a elbowed end (coude) catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow, tubular die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed end catheter. The tubular die is heated to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of the thermoplastic tube, while advancing the tube into the die, to cause at least about 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a generally solid, curved mass. The die and tube contained therein are then cooled to a temperature below the plastic melt temperature, and the tube is withdrawn having a closed, formed coude tip.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Hannah
- 👤 Steffen Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0009; A61M25/001; B; B29; B29C; B29C53/00; B29C53/02; B29C53/08; B29C53/083; B29C57/00; B29C57/10; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/22; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of making a elbowed-end catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow, tubular one piece die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed-end catheter; heating said tubular die to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of said thermoplastic tube, while advancing said tube into the die, to cause at least 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a curved mass; cooling said die and tube to a temperature below said plastic melt temperature; and withdrawing said tube from the die.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of making a elbowed-end catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow, tubular one piece die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed-end catheter; heating said tubular die to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of said thermoplastic tube, while advancing said tube into the die, to cause at least 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a curved mass; cooling said die and tube to a temperature below said plastic melt temperature; and withdrawing said tube from the die.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 in which aperture means is formed in the wall of said tube adjacent said end for fluid communication between the interior and exterior of said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which said thermoplastic tube defines a Shore `A` durometer of at least 65.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 in which the bore of the closed-end, hollow, tubular die defines an outer closed end portion that tapers outwardly to a minimum width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which said tube end collapses into a generally solid, curved mass.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of making a elbowed-end catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow tubular one piece die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed-end catheter, and which bore further tapers outwardly toward its closed end to a minimum width, the Shore `A` Durometer of said flexible thermoplastic tube being at least 65; heating said tubular die to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of said thermoplastic tube while advancing said tube into the die, to cause at least 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a curved mass; cooling said die and tube to a temperature below said plastic melt temperature; and withdrawing said tube from the die.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
The method of making a elbowed-end catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow tubular one piece die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed-end catheter, and which bore further tapers outwardly toward its closed end to a minimum width, the Shore `A` Durometer of said flexible thermoplastic tube being at least 65; heating said tubular die to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of said thermoplastic tube while advancing said tube into the die, to cause at least 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a curved mass; cooling said die and tube to a temperature below said plastic melt temperature; and withdrawing said tube from the die.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 in which aperture means is formed in the wall of said thermoplastic tube adjacent said end for fluid communication between the interior and exterior of said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 in which said thermoplastic tube is made of a polyvinyl chloride plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7 in which said hollow tubular die is heated to a temperature of 300° to 500° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 in which said thermoplastic tube is advanced into the die, to cause the tube end to collapse, at a rate of 0.14 to 0.63 inch per second.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 in which said die is heated with radio frequency radiation for a period of 5 to 15 seconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 in which said thermoplastic tube is treated, prior to insertion into the bore of said die, with a lubricant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 7 in which said hollow tubular die defines an enlarged sleeve portion integral therewith, and positioned remote from said closed end of the hollow tubular die, said sleeve portion defining integral heat loss fins, said sleeve being positively cooled during said cooling step by means of a cooling agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 in which said tube end collapses into a generally solid, curved mass.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 in which Shore "A" Durometer of said thermoplastic tube is no more than 100.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-28 | 1985-03-30 | 1985-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-28 | 1989-03-30 | 1989-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-28 | 1993-03-30 | 1993-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |