An enhanced flexibility neurovascular catheter is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The catheter includes an elongate flexible body, having a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall defining a central lumen. A distal zone of the side wall includes an outer jacket surrounding a helical coil, and the outer jacket is formed from a plurality of tubular segments positioned coaxially about the coil. A proximal one of the tubular segments has a durometer of at least about 60D, and a distal one of the tubular segments has a durometer of no more than about 35D. An axially extending filament within the side wall extends at least about the most distal 10 cm of the length of the catheter. The axially extending filament serves as a tension support and resists elongation of the catheter wall under tension, such as when the catheter is being proximally retracted through tortuous vasculature.

A method for forming a composite tube includes the steps of: braiding a plurality of strips to form a workpiece tube; bending the workpiece tube to form a bend; and extending the length of the workpiece tube by continuing the braiding step.

A method for forming a composite tube includes the steps of: braiding a plurality of strips to form a workpiece tube; bending the workpiece tube to form a bend; and extending the length of the workpiece tube by continuing the braiding step.

A method for coating a pipe involves applying a coating material of cellular structured extruded thermoplastic material to the pipe and enclosing it on the outside by an outer covering layer of compact plastic. In an extrusion head, the annular opening for supplying coating material can be adjusted to a desired temperature by a region having coolant channels separated from the annular opening by an annular heat exchange surface. Before being applied to the pipe, the flowable coating material is guided along the heat exchange surface and cooled to a temperature just above the solidification temperature thereof. After the coating material leaves the annular opening, the coating material expands in a controlled manner, widening the outer covering layer depending on the adjusted temperature of the coating material, until the coating material begins to solidify. The outer covering layer surface condition can correspond to or be different from the pipe.

A method for coating a pipe involves applying a coating material of cellular structured extruded thermoplastic material to the pipe and enclosing it on the outside by an outer covering layer of compact plastic. In an extrusion head, the annular opening for supplying coating material can be adjusted to a desired temperature by a region having coolant channels separated from the annular opening by an annular heat exchange surface. Before being applied to the pipe, the flowable coating material is guided along the heat exchange surface and cooled to a temperature just above the solidification temperature thereof. After the coating material leaves the annular opening, the coating material expands in a controlled manner, widening the outer covering layer depending on the adjusted temperature of the coating material, until the coating material begins to solidify. The outer covering layer surface condition can correspond to or be different from the pipe.

This invention encompasses a system and a method used in the petrochemical and mechanical engineering area, more specifically in the area of protecting pipes or similarly shaped objects against external or internal damage or wear, which comprises a protective system for the ends and the inside of coated pipes, using the coating itself and other additional devices. The system is comprised of a cup (1), spacer (2), coating (3), external ring (4), and cap (5) used in the production line of the pipe-coating process, using the external coating itself, preventing corrosion and mechanical damage at the ends/bevel, in the sandblasted area of the collar and internal surface, from storage and transport to the location where it will be used, and welding in the field or on the vessel.

An embodiment of heat-shrinkable tubing capable of providing the strength characteristics of known heat-shrinkable tubing embodiments while maintaining a low peel force for easy removal from a shaft or other solid body during extrusion and expansion manufacturing.

A tubular wall, which may be employed in a medical catheter or medical electrical lead, is formed by stranding together a plurality of polymer fibers and at least one metal filar, wherein the stranding forms a braid matrix of the polymer fibers and a coil of the metal filar interlaced therewith. Then, while the braid matrix secures a pitch of the coil, a polymer material is extruded around an entire length of the tubular wall, and, in some cases, the extrusion process causes the plurality of polymer fibers to melt and coalesce together with one another, while the pitch of the coil is maintained. Alternately, a reflow process, which follows extrusion, causes the polymer fibers to melt and coalesce along all, or just a discrete length of the tubular wall.

A tubular wall, which may be employed in a medical catheter or medical electrical lead, is formed by stranding together a plurality of polymer fibers and at least one metal filar, wherein the stranding forms a braid matrix of the polymer fibers and a coil of the metal filar interlaced therewith. Then, while the braid matrix secures a pitch of the coil, a polymer material is extruded around an entire length of the tubular wall, and, in some cases, the extrusion process causes the plurality of polymer fibers to melt and coalesce together with one another, while the pitch of the coil is maintained. Alternately, a reflow process, which follows extrusion, causes the polymer fibers to melt and coalesce along all, or just a discrete length of the tubular wall.

An apparatus including: a conveyor having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction and a pair of edges spaced apart from one another in the cross-machine direction; a roller mounted to an arm and engaged with a continuous drive, wherein the arm is pivotably mounted to a frame, wherein the roller has a first position and a second position, wherein the roller in the first position is located at a predetermined location above the conveyor and laterally within the pair of edges, wherein the roller in the second position is remote from the predetermined location, and wherein the roller and the continuous drive are separated from one another by an obstruction; a driver operatively engaged with the arm to move the roller from the first position to the second position; and a vacuum port proximal to the roller when the roller is in the first position.