Method for making splittable catheter

Claim 1

A method for producing a catheter assembly with a catheter configured to be readily split in half for ease of removal from insertion in a patient, said method comprising the steps of (a) simultaneously extruding a generally tubular catheter assembly with two diametrically formed v-shaped grooves formed therein, and v-shaped strips formed in said grooves, said generally tubular catheter being comprised of a different polymer from said strips; said extruding step including (1) selecting in a first selecting step an elongated tubular body comprised of a first polymer; (2) said body being defined by a wall having a first radial cross-sectional thickness through the length thereof; (3) said wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; (4) the said inner surface of said wall defining a lumen extending centrally through the length of said body; (5) said wall having two diametrically opposed grooves therein; (6) each of said grooves having a continuously decreasing width in cross-section from said outer surface to form a v-shaped; (7) the bottom of each said v-shaped groove being at a point spaced from said inner surface of said wall; (8) said bottom of each said v-shaped groove cooperating with said inner surface of said wall to form a second radial cross-sectional thickness for said wall adjacent each of said diametrically opposed grooves; (9) selecting in a second selecting step a pair of strips; (10) said strips being v-shaped and the same size as said diametrically opposed grooves; (11) said strips being comprised of a second polymer different from said first polymer; (12) said first and second polymers having differing solubility parameters for promoting poor adhesion therebetween; and (b) stripping said strips from said v-shaped grooves for forming a catheter with a continuous tubular wall but readily split in half.

Claim 2

A method for producing a catheter assembly with a catheter configured to be readily split in half for ease of removal from insertion in a patient, said method comprising the steps of (a) simultaneously extruding a generally tubular catheter assembly with two diametrically formed v-shaped grooves formed therein, and v-shaped strips formed in said grooves, said generally tubular catheter being comprised of a different polymer from said strips; said extruding step including (1) selecting in a first selecting step an elongated tubular body comprised of a first polymer; (2) said body being defined by a wall having a first radial cross-sectional thickness through the length thereof; (3) said wall having an inner surface and an outer surface; (4) the said inner surface of said wall defining a lumen extending centrally through the length of said body; (5) said wall having two diametrically opposed grooves therein; (6) each of said grooves having a continuously decreasing width in cross-section from said outer surface to form a v-shaped; (7) the bottom of each said v-shaped groove being at a point spaced from said inner surface of said wall; (8) said bottom of each said v-shaped groove cooperating with said inner surface of said wall to form a second radial cross-sectional thickness for said wall adjacent each of said diametrically opposed grooves; (9) selecting in a second selecting step a pair of strips; (10) said strips being v-shaped and the same size as said diametrically opposed grooves; (11) said strips being comprised of a second polymer different from said first polymer; (12) said first and second polymers having differing solubility parameters for promoting poor adhesion therebetween; and (b) stripping said strips from said v-shaped grooves for forming a catheter with a continuous tubular wall but readily split in half.