Thermal gradient beveling of catheters

• Main Authors: FIELD, DOUGLAS J, AHLSTROM, ROGER
• Format: Patent
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: 11.08.1999
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

A process for forming a catheter tip is described wherein a mold having an internal surface complimentary to the desired external surface of the catheter tip is formed such that it has two temperature zones. A first higher temperature zone is positioned proximally of the catheter distal tip and a lower temperature zone is positioned distal to the higher temperature zone. A catheter to be tipped is placed upon a mandrel or needle and the mold is heated. Upon insertion of the catheter and mandrel into the mold. The catheter material softens and begins to flow within the mold. The higher temperature portion supplies the heat necessary to soften the catheter material and it flow to the lower temperature zone wherein the lower temperature causes the catheter material to become more viscous resolidify. Upon becoming more viscous, the catheter material, at the very tip, acts as a dam to prevent further flow of material thus eliminating flash from the mold end.