# US 10,118,334 B2 · Wire-reinforced tubing and method of making the same

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- Number: US 10,118,334 B2
- Document ID: US10118334B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/210,069
- Filed: 2016-07-14
- Published: 2018-01-18
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-14
- Assignees: Custom Wire Technologies, Inc.
- Applicants: Custom Wire Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert Boldig; Michael Boldig; James Boldig; Zachary Judy
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118334B2

## CPC

- B29C 63/24: using threads
- A61L 29/04: Macromolecular materials
- A61M 25/00: Catheters; Hollow probes (dilators A61M29/00; {peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00} ; for measuring or testing A61B; {materials for catheters A61L29/00})
- B29C 41/00: Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped article; Apparatus therefor (with compacting pressure B29C43/00 {; by lay-up of reinforcement of substantial or continuous length B29C70/30})
- B29C 41/085: {by rotating the former around its axis of symmetry}
- B29C 41/20: incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. moulding inserts or for coating articles
- B29C 48/0022: {combined with cutting}
- B29C 48/09: Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
- B29C 69/001: {a shaping technique combined with cutting, e.g. in parts or slices combined with rearranging and joining the cut parts (for reinforced material B29C70/545; B29C49/4278, B29C51/268 take precedence)}
- B29C 69/008: {of tubular articles}
- B29C 69/02: of moulding techniques only
- A61M 25/0012: {with embedded structures, e.g. coils, braids, meshes, strands or radiopaque coils}
- B29C 48/151: Coating hollow articles
- B29C 63/0004: {Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations}
- B29K 2021/003: {Thermoplastic elastomers}
- B29K 2023/06: {PE, i.e. polyethylene}
- B29K 2675/00: Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof,} for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
- B29L 2023/007: {Medical tubes other than catheters (catheters B29L2031/7542)}
- B29L 2031/7542: {Catheters}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

An apparatus for and method of manufacturing an improved wire-reinforced plastic tubing for medical and other applications is disclosed. A plurality of spaced-apart wire segments may be wound onto successive portions of a long segment of plastic tubing which portions are supported for rotation to wind coil wire thereon by rotating the plastic tubing while a supply of coil wire is wound onto the plastic tubing. When multiple winding segments have been wound on the long segment of plastic tubing, the segments may be separated into individual wire-reinforced tubing products each having one or more wire windings thereupon.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of manufacturing wire-reinforced plastic tubing segments, comprising:
supplying an extended length segment of plastic tubing from a supply reel;
supporting a portion of the plastic tubing supplied from the supply reel intermediate two spaced-apart air chucks, the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks defining an axis of rotation;
taking up the plastic tubing onto a take-up reel;
simultaneously rotating the supply reel, the air chucks, and the take-up reel about the axis of rotation while supplying a reinforcing wire to the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks to helically wind at least one wire winding onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks;
releasing the air chucks and advancing the plastic tubing from the supply reel to the take-up reel to advance a subsequent portion of the plastic tubing to the location between the air chucks and supporting the subsequent portion of the plastic tubing with the air chucks;
repeating the rotating and releasing steps;
installing an outer plastic layer over the exterior of the plastic tubing and the wire windings thereupon; and
cutting the plastic tubing into segments each having at least one wire winding.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the extended length segment of plastic tubing is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as polyurethane.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:
inserting a segment of plastic support tubing inside the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the supplying step; and
removing the segment of plastic support tubing from the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the cutting step.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the plastic support tubing is stiffer than the extended length segment of plastic tubing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A method as defined in claim 4, wherein the plastic support tubing has a thicker wall thickness than the extended length segment of plastic tubing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:
securing first and second opposite ends of the at least one wire winding onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the securing step is performed by welding the first and second opposite ends of the at least one wire winding.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the securing step is performed by adhesively securing the first and second opposite ends of the at least one wire winding.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotating step is performed to helically wind at least two spaced-apart wire windings onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the installing step comprises:
spraying a plastic coating onto the extended length segment of plastic tubing with multiple sets of wire windings thereupon.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the installing step comprises:
passing the extended length segment of plastic tubing with multiple sets of wire windings thereupon through a container having a coating material therein to apply an outer coating onto the extended length segment of plastic tubing with multiple sets of wire windings thereupon.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the installing step comprises:
feeding the extended length segment of plastic tubing with multiple sets of wire windings thereupon through an extruder to extrude an outer coating onto the extended length segment of plastic tubing with multiple sets of wire windings thereupon.

### Claim 13

A method of manufacturing wire-reinforced plastic tubing segments, comprising:
supplying an extended length segment of plastic tubing having an extended length segment of plastic support tubing located inside the extended length segment of plastic tubing from a supply reel;
supporting a portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing supplied from the supply reel intermediate two spaced-apart air chucks, the portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing located intermediate the air chucks defining an axis of rotation;
taking up the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing onto a take-up reel;
simultaneously rotating the supply reel, the air chucks, and the take-up reel about the axis of rotation while supplying a reinforcing wire to the portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing located intermediate the air chucks to helically wind at least one wire winding onto the portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing located intermediate the air chucks;
welding first and second opposite ends of the at least one wire winding that is helically wound onto the portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing located intermediate the air chucks;
releasing the air chucks and advancing the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing from the supply reel to the take-up reel to advance a subsequent portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing to the location between the air chucks and supporting the subsequent portion of the plastic tubing/plastic support tubing with the air chucks;
repeating the rotating, welding, and releasing steps;
installing an outer plastic layer over the exterior of the plastic tubing and the wire windings thereupon;
cutting the plastic tubing into segments each having at least one wire winding; and
removing the plastic support tubing from the segments of plastic tubing.

### Claim 14

A method of manufacturing wire-reinforced plastic tubing segments, comprising:
providing an extended length segment of plastic tubing;
supporting a portion of the plastic tubing intermediate two spaced-apart air chucks, the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks defining an axis of rotation;
simultaneously rotating the air chucks about the axis of rotation while helically winding a wire winding onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks;
releasing the air chucks and advancing the plastic tubing to provide a subsequent portion of the plastic tubing to the location between the air chucks and supporting the subsequent portion of the plastic tubing with the air chucks;
repeating the rotating and releasing steps;
installing an outer plastic layer over the exterior of the plastic tubing and the wire windings thereupon; and
cutting the plastic tubing into segments each having at least one wire winding.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

A method as defined in claim 14, additionally comprising:
inserting a segment of plastic support tubing inside the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the providing step; and
removing the segment of plastic support tubing from the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the cutting step.

### Claim 16

An apparatus for manufacturing wire-reinforced plastic tubing segments, comprising:
a supply reel at one end of the apparatus that is arranged and configured to contain a supply of an extended length segment of plastic tubing;
a take-up reel at an opposite end of the apparatus that is arranged and configured to take up the plastic tubing;
two spaced-apart air chucks located on the apparatus intermediate the supply reel and the take-up reel, the air chucks supporting a portion of the plastic tubing supplied from the supply reel that is located intermediate the air chucks and that defines an axis of rotation; and
a mechanism configured to supply a reinforcing wire to the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks while the supply reel, the air chucks, and the take-up reel are simultaneously rotated about the axis of rotation to helically wind at least one wire winding onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks; wherein the apparatus is arranged and configured to release the air chucks and advance the plastic tubing from the supply reel to the take-up reel to advance a subsequent portion of the plastic tubing to the location between the air chucks and support the subsequent portion of the plastic tubing with the air chucks, following which the rotating and releasing steps are repeated to helically wind additional wire windings onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

An apparatus as defined in claim 16, additionally comprising:
apparatus for installing an outer plastic layer over the exterior of the plastic tubing and the portions of the reinforcing wire helically wound thereupon.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

An apparatus as defined in claim 16, additionally comprising:
apparatus for cutting the plastic tubing into segments each having at least one wire winding thereupon.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

An apparatus as defined in claim 16, additionally comprising:
apparatus for inserting a segment of plastic support tubing inside the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the supplying step; and
apparatus for removing the segment of plastic support tubing from the extended length segment of plastic tubing prior to the cutting step.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the mechanism supplying a reinforcing wire to the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks is configured to helically wind at least two wire windings onto the portion of the plastic tubing located intermediate the air chucks supply while the supply reel, the air chucks, and the take-up reel are simultaneously rotated about the axis of rotation.