Method of Automatic Manufacturing a Tubular Device for a Catheter

A method of manufacturing a tubular device for a catheter sized for introduction into a patient's body, comprising the following steps:

• Providing a mandrel having an outer sheath as well as a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis;
• Providing a solid wire consisting of elastic material;
• Positioning an end section of the solid wire adjacent the first end of the mandrel such that it extends parallel to and/or around the longitudinal axis of the mandrel;
• Wrapping one or more reinforcement elements around the mandrel and around at least a pre-defined section of the solid wire with such tension that the one or more reinforcement elements are pressed into the surface of the solid wire and simultaneously supplying further sections of the solid wire parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel until the second end of the mandrel or a pre-defined section of the mandrel is covered by the one or more reinforcement elements;
• Cutting through the solid wire and the one or more reinforcement elements and, if applicable, the mandrel, thereby receiving an assembly;
• Providing a cover layer and laminating this cover layer and/or providing a cover layer material and extruding this cover layer material onto the assembly;
• and
• Removing the solid wire by pulling and removing the mandrel pulling from the covered assembly.