Reinforced multiple-lumen catheter and apparatus and method for making the same

Abstract

A method of making a multiple-lumen catheter using a co-extrusion die comprises the step of forming an elongated cylindrical tube made of silicone and having an internal septum extending along the length thereof to form at least a pair of longitudinal lumens. While the elongated cylindrical tube is being formed, a nylon reinforcing strip is arranged inside the tube such that the strip extends along the length of the tube. The tube is solidified and cut into individual multiple-lumen catheters. The nylon strip includes a pair of orthogonal side plates which aid in anchoring the nylon strip within the solidified tube. An apparatus for making the multiple-lumen catheter comprises a co-extrusion die, a silicon extruder for injecting silicone into the die, and a pair of rollers for feeding a nylon strip into the die. The co-extrusion die has a circular opening containing a pair of mandrels extending within the die for a predetermined length, the mandrels being arranged substantially parallel to each other with a gap therebetween. The rollers feed the nylon strip into the gap between the mandrels while the extruder is injecting the silicone into the die.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.