Method and apparatus for moulding cannulae

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for injection molding polymeric cannulae from liquid polymeric materials. The method includes injecting pressurized liquid polymer into a mold cavity and into an overflow and forming a conduit by forcing pressurized working fluid through the solidifying liquid polymer into the overflow. The invention provides a mold for fluid-assisted injection molding articles from polymeric materials, the mold comprising at least two parts defining a cavity having a conduit portion incorporating a needle portion; a channel for liquid polymer ingress; a channel for pressurized fluid ingress; and an overflow in communication with the conduit portion. The mold may incorporate a plurality of cavities. Preferably the volume of the overflow is equal to or greater than the volume of the conduit portion. Preferably the mold incorporates a separating means for separating the overflow from a cannula portion of an article formed in the mold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.