Method for forming a guide catheter tip bond
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsBrian J. Scovil, Henry J. Pepin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for forming a guide catheter with a deformable tip includes setting a mating distal end of a tubular member against a mating proximal end of a soft, deformable tip to form a butt joint. The butt joint is then softened to render the mating proximal and distal ends of the deformable tip and tubular member flowable. The tubular member and the deformable tip are then oscillated along a longitudinal axis such that the materials of the mating proximal and distal ends flow into one another creating a connection zone. The connection zone then solidifies to form a lap joint tip bond that securely fastens the deformable tip to the tubular member.
Claims11
A method of forming a guide catheter having a soft deformable tip on a distal end thereof, comprises the steps of:
- providing a tubular, deformable tip having a mating proximal end;
- providing a tubular member having a mating distal end, the tubular member being stiffer then the tubular, deformable tip;
- butting the mating proximal end of the deformable tip up against the mating distal end of the tubular member to form a butt joint;
- softening the butt joint to render the mating proximal end of the deformable tip and the mating distal end of the tubular member flowable;
- longitudinally oscillating both the deformable tip and tubular member such that the mating ends of the deformable tip and tubular member flow into one another to form a connection zone;
- and
- solidifying the connection zone to firmly couple the deformable tip to the tubular member, thereby forming a guide catheter having a soft deformable tip.
A method of forming a guide catheter having a soft deformable tip on a distal end thereof, comprises the steps of:
- providing a tubular, deformable tip having a mating proximal end;
- providing a tubular member having a mating distal end, the tubular member being stiffer then the tubular, deformable tip;
- inserting a mandrel into the deformable tip such that a portion of the mandrel extends past the mating proximal end of the deformable tip;
- sliding a sleeve over the deformable tip such that a first section of the sleeve extends about the mating proximal end of the deformable tip;
- butting the mating distal end of the tubular member against the mating proximal end of the deformable tip such that the mating distal end extends about the portion of the mandrel that extends past the deformable tip, and a second section of the sleeve extends about the mating distal end of the tubular member;
- securing the tubular member against movement relative to the deformable tip;
- heating the butt joint while continuously forcing the deformable tip longitudinally along the mandrel against the tubular member to render the mating proximal end of the deformable tip and the mating distal end of the tubular member flowable;
- longitudinally oscillating both the deformable tip and tubular member such that the mating ends of the deformable tip and tubular member flow into one another to form a lap joint wherein the mating proximal end of the deformable tip forms a tapered apex that extends proximally, and wherein the mating distal end of the tubular member forms a V-shaped groove that widens distally;
- and
- solidifying the lap joint which firmly couples the deformable tip to the tubular member thereby forming a guide catheter with a soft deformable tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.