Method for making disposable tubular device

A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, the method comprising:

• extruding a first material through a first die to form the tube, the first material having a durometer hardness reading between approximately 80 Shore A and 90 Shore A;
• moving the tube through a second die while extruding a second material through the second die to form the tube-support structure in a friction fit over the elongate tube, the second material having a durometer hardness reading of at least approximately 60 Shore D.

A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of said passageways being formed by the tube and a second of said passageways being formed by the tube and the tube-support structure, the method comprising the steps of forming a first material into the tube and forming a second material into the tube-support structure so the structure has a friction fit with the tube, said first material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube, said second material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.

A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of the two passageways being formed by the tube and a second of the two passageways being formed by the tube and the tube-support structure, the method comprising:

• extruding a first material to form the tube, said first material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube;
• moving the tube through a die while extruding a second material through the die to form the tube-support structure having a friction fit with the tube;
• the second material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.