Method for forming catheter curves
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorThomas C. Eidenschink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming catheters and catheter curves using ferromagnetic materials exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Heat is generated in the exposed ferromagnetic material. The temperature of the ferromagnetic material is allowed to reach a desired temperature, preferably the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material containing portion. The heat generated is transferred to a catheter, wherein the catheter can be selectively formed or assembled and bonded at the desired elevated temperature.
Claims48
A method for forming a curve in a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough;
- providing a means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube, the means having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- placing at least a portion of the catheter tube in close proximity to the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube;
- positioning at least a portion of the catheter tube in a desired curve shape;
- exposing at least a portion of the catheter tube and the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube to an alternating magnetic field such that the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube reaches a desired temperature;
- and
- separating the catheter tube from the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube.
A method for forming a curve in a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough;
- providing a mandrel having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- disposing the mandrel within at least a portion of the lumen of the catheter tube;
- positioning at least a portion of the catheter tube in a desired curve shape;
- exposing the at least a portion of the catheter tube and the mandrel to an alternating magnetic field such that the mandrel is heated to a desired temperature;
- and
- removing the mandrel from the catheter tube.
A method for forming a curve in a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough;
- providing a fixture having a chamber with a desired curve shape for receiving at least a portion of the catheter tube, the fixture having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- inserting at least a portion of the catheter tube into the fixture;
- exposing the fixture and the at least a portion of the catheter tube to an alternating magnetic field such that the fixture is heated to a desired temperature;
- and
- removing the catheter tube from the fixture.
A method for forming a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough, an inner layer, and an outer layer;
- providing a means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- placing at least a portion of the catheter tube in close proximity to the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube;
- exposing at least a portion of the catheter tube and the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube to an alternating magnetic field such that the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube reaches a desired temperature, wherein the outer layer is bonded to the inner layer;
- allowing the catheter tube and the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube to cool;
- and
- separating the catheter tube from the means for electromagnetic induction heating of the catheter tube.
A method for forming a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having a lumen therethrough, an inner layer, and an outer layer;
- providing a mandrel having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- disposing the mandrel within at least a portion of the lumen of the catheter tube;
- exposing at least a portion of the catheter tube and the mandrel to an alternating magnetic field such that the mandrel is heated to a desired temperature, wherein the outer layer is bonded to the inner layer;
- allowing the catheter tube and the mandrel to cool;
- and
- removing the mandrel from the catheter tube.
A method for forming a catheter tube comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter tube having an inner layer and an outer layer;
- providing a fixture having chamber for receiving at least a portion of the catheter tube, the fixture having a composition including a selected amount of a ferromagnetic material;
- inserting at least a portion of the catheter tube into the fixture;
- exposing the fixture and the at least a portion of the catheter tube to an alternating magnetic field such that the fixture is heated to a desired temperature, wherein the outer layer is bonded to the inner layer;
- allowing the fixture and the at least a portion of the catheter tube to cool;
- and
- removing the catheter tube from the fixture.
A mandrel for catheter tube manufacture comprising:
- an elongate shaft having at least one portion including a ferromagnetic material, wherein the at least one portion reaches a desired temperature when exposed to an alternating magnetic field.
A fixture for catheter tube manufacture comprising:
- a body having a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a catheter tube;
- and
- a ferromagnetic material for heating at least a portion of the catheter tube through electromagnetic induction heating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.