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.

A device comprising a bendable fibre comprising a fibre axis, a thermally expandable material and a resistance wire extending longitudinally through the fibre spaced apart from the fibre axis; wherein, in use, electrical power applied to the resistance wire causes the temperature of the resistance wire to increase.

A device comprising a bendable fibre comprising a fibre axis, a thermally expandable material and a resistance wire extending longitudinally through the fibre spaced apart from the fibre axis; wherein, in use, electrical power applied to the resistance wire causes the temperature of the resistance wire to increase.

A method of drawing a material into sheet form includes forming a preform comprising at least one material as a large aspect ratio block wherein a first transverse dimension of the preform is much greater than a second transverse dimension substantially perpendicular to the first transverse dimension. A furnace having substantially linearly opposed heating elements one spaced from the other is provided and the heating elements are energized to apply heat to the preform to create a negative thermal gradient from an exterior surface along the first transverse dimension of the preform inward toward a central plane of the preform. The preform is drawn in such a manner that the material substantially maintains its first transverse dimension and deforms across its second transverse dimension.

The inner cannula (3) of a tracheostomy tube includes a shaft (30) extruded of an ePTFE material. The axial strength of the shaft is increased by heating elongate portions (34 and 35) along the shaft such as by contact with a heated roller (205). The heating is sufficient to alter the structure of the material and make the heated portions (34 and 35) more rigid than the remainder of the shaft.

A method of drawing a material into sheet form includes forming a preform comprising at least one material as a large aspect ratio block wherein a first transverse dimension of the preform is much greater than a second transverse dimension substantially perpendicular to the first transverse dimension. A furnace having substantially linearly opposed heating elements one spaced from the other is provided and the heating elements are energized to apply heat to the preform to create a negative thermal gradient from an exterior surface along the first transverse dimension of the preform inward toward a central plane of the preform. The preform is drawn in such a manner that the material substantially maintains its first transverse dimension and deforms across its second transverse dimension.

A method and apparatus for forming a pressure vessel liner are disclosed. One method includes forming an extruded tube by extruding a parison through a die and a mandrel and forming main body sections and return line sections in the extruded tube according to a first pattern. A cross-sectional area of the return line sections is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the main body sections. The method further includes changing the pattern according to which the main body sections and the return line sections are formed from the first pattern to a second pattern without stopping the forming of the extruded tube and forming the main body sections and the return line sections in the extruded tube according to the second pattern.

A method and apparatus for forming a pressure vessel liner are disclosed. One method includes forming an extruded tube by extruding a parison through a die and a mandrel and forming main body sections and return line sections in the extruded tube according to a first pattern. A cross-sectional area of the return line sections is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the main body sections. The method further includes changing the pattern according to which the main body sections and the return line sections are formed from the first pattern to a second pattern without stopping the forming of the extruded tube and forming the main body sections and the return line sections in the extruded tube according to the second pattern.

A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.