Methods for preparing oriented polymer tubes, such as biodegradable polymer tubes suitable for in vivo use, are provided herein. The disclosed methods provide alternatives to the typical extrusion/expansion methods by which oriented polymeric tubes for such uses are commonly produced. Advantageously, the disclosed methods can provide more homogeneous molecular orientation of crystallizable polymers within the tube walls, which can endow such polymeric tubes with enhanced strength (e.g., resistance to compression) and toughness.

A method of drawing different materials includes forming a first material into a preform body defining at least one channel extending therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A first element formed of a second material is inserted into the channel and with the preform body creates a preform assembly. The first element has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the channel, and the second material has a higher melting temperature than the first material. The preform assembly is heated so that the first material softens and the preform assembly is drawn so that the preform body deforms at a first deformation rate to a smaller cross-sectional area and the first element substantially maintains a constant cross-sectional area throughout the drawing process. Upon completion of the drawing step, the cross-sectional area of the channel is equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the first element.

A method of drawing different materials includes forming a first material into a preform body defining at least one channel extending therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A first element formed of a second material is inserted into the channel and with the preform body creates a preform assembly. The first element has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the channel, and the second material has a higher melting temperature than the first material. The preform assembly is heated so that the first material softens and the preform assembly is drawn so that the preform body deforms at a first deformation rate to a smaller cross-sectional area and the first element substantially maintains a constant cross-sectional area throughout the drawing process. Upon completion of the drawing step, the cross-sectional area of the channel is equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the first element.

A method of drawing different materials includes forming a first material into a preform body defining at least one channel extending therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A first element formed of a second material is inserted into the channel and with the preform body creates a preform assembly. The first element has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the channel, and the second material has a higher melting temperature than the first material. The preform assembly is heated so that the first material softens and the preform assembly is drawn so that the preform body deforms at a first deformation rate to a smaller cross-sectional area and the first element substantially maintains a constant cross-sectional area throughout the drawing process. Upon completion of the drawing step, the cross-sectional area of the channel is equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the first element.

A polymeric container including a base that moves inward toward the finish from an as-blown configuration to a post-fill, post vacuum configuration after the container has been filled and capped to generate a vacuum therein. In the as-blown configuration a diaphragm is linear in cross-section. In the post-fill, post-vacuum configuration the diaphragm is concave relative to an outer surface of the base. As the base moves inward from the as-blown configuration to the post-fill, post vacuum configuration, an angle of intersection between an outer standing surface and a heel decreases as vacuum in the container increases and a pushup portion moves inward towards a finish of the container.

A hose that includes an inner layer and an outer layer made of an elastic polymeric material, and a textile reinforcement layer interposed between the inner and the outer layers. The inner layer and the outer layer are reciprocally coupled to form a unitary tubular member, within which the textile reinforcement layer is embedded. The unitary tubular member has an elasticity such to automatically elongate under the working pressure given by the liquid flowing therethrough to increase its original length and to automatically recover once the working pressure stops. The textile reinforcement layer is adapted to move from a rest configuration when the working pressure stops to a working configuration when the unitary tubular member elongates under the working pressure, and vice versa.

A hose that includes an inner layer and an outer layer made of an elastic polymeric material, and a textile reinforcement layer interposed between the inner and the outer layers. The inner layer and the outer layer are reciprocally coupled to form a unitary tubular member, within which the textile reinforcement layer is embedded. The unitary tubular member has an elasticity such to automatically elongate under the working pressure given by the liquid flowing therethrough to increase its original length and to automatically recover once the working pressure stops. The textile reinforcement layer is adapted to move from a rest configuration when the working pressure stops to a working configuration when the unitary tubular member elongates under the working pressure, and vice versa.

An adjustable vascular graft with a user-customizable reduced inner diameter is provided. The graft includes a flexible tubular body having open ends and a plurality of receivers in a sidewall thereof, which may be arranged in two circumferentially spaced rows of receivers. The receivers may take the form of ringlets, eyelets, loops, or holes, which may be provided in a reinforced region of the graft sidewall, and which may be radiopaque. A suture passes through the plurality of receivers, the suture having first and second free ends capable of being pulled, and which suture may also be radiopaque. Tensioning or tightening the first and second ends of the suture reduces an inner diameter of the corresponding portion of the tubular body of the graft, thereby allowing for the custom reduced inner diameter and a resulting flow restriction to be provided. Related methods are also disclosed.

An adjustable vascular graft with a user-customizable reduced inner diameter is provided. The graft includes a flexible tubular body having open ends and a plurality of receivers in a sidewall thereof, which may be arranged in two circumferentially spaced rows of receivers. The receivers may take the form of ringlets, eyelets, loops, or holes, which may be provided in a reinforced region of the graft sidewall, and which may be radiopaque. A suture passes through the plurality of receivers, the suture having first and second free ends capable of being pulled, and which suture may also be radiopaque. Tensioning or tightening the first and second ends of the suture reduces an inner diameter of the corresponding portion of the tubular body of the graft, thereby allowing for the custom reduced inner diameter and a resulting flow restriction to be provided. Related methods are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a fibre comprising a lined channel, using a draw apparatus, the method comprising: providing a preform, comprising a channel extending through the preform, to the draw apparatus; feeding a liner into the channel; heating a portion of the preform; and drawing the heated portion of the preform in order to form a fibre, wherein the liner is held within the channel of the fibre to provide a lined channel within the fibre.