Multitube catheter and method for making the same

Abstract

Multitube catheter and method for making the same are provided. The assembly includes two or more tube fused together to form one catheter tube shaft. Each tube has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter from its distal end to its proximal end. The tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure. Heat and pressure can be generated by heat sensitive tube slides over a segment of catheter tubes while metallic mandrels are passed through each tube lumen to protect the lumens during fusion. The heat sensitive tube will shrink once heat is applied. The heat sensitive tube will shrink and apply the required pressure over the catheter tubes. Continual heating will melt and re-shape the catheter tubes inside the heat sensitive tube while the letter will not be affected due to its high melting temperature. After cooling, the heat sensitive tube is to be removed, the metallic mandrels are pulled back and the tubes forming the united catheter tube. Distal end of the united catheter tube can be splited to form split tip, stepped tip or can be tapered tipped. The proximal segment (none fused) will form catheter extension legs. The pressure applied can also be created by silicon or rubber tube stretched over the catheter tubes, in a mould, by coextrusion, by over molding, through adhesions are other possible methods.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.