A 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 a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, adjacent windings of the coil spaced progressively further apart in the distal direction. An outer jacket surrounds the helical coil. The outer jacket is formed from a plurality of tubular segments positioned end to end, coaxially about the coil. The flexural load profile of the catheter as a function of catheter length is configured to provide enhanced distal flexibility while maintaining high backup support.

A method of making a high flexibility distal zone on a neurovascular catheter is provided. The method includes the steps of dip coating a removable mandrel to form a tubular inner layer on the mandrel, coating the tubular inner layer with a soft tie layer, applying a helical coil to the outside of the tie layer, positioning a plurality of tubular segments on the helical coil, heating the tubular segments to form the high flexibility distal zone on the neurovascular catheter; and removing the mandrel. The plurality of segments have durometers that decrease in a distal direction. The flexural load profile of the catheter as a function of catheter length is configured to provide enhanced distal flexibility while maintaining high backup support.

A neurovascular catheter extension segment is provided, such as for distal neurovascular access or aspiration. The neurovascular catheter extension segment includes 1) an elongate flexible control wire having a proximal end and a distal end and 2) a tubular extension segment having a side wall defining a central lumen carried by the distal end of the control wire. The side wall of the tubular extension segment includes a tubular inner liner, a tie layer separated from the lumen by the inner liner, a helical coil surrounding the tie layer, and an outer jacket surrounding the helical coil. The extension segment may be introduced into the proximal end of a neurovascular catheter and advanced distally to extend beyond the catheter and thereby extend the reach of the catheter.

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 manufacturing an insulation member for a vacuum insulated structure includes the steps of forming a bag that has an opening using a single layer porous fabric, filling the bag with insulation materials via the opening, sealing the opening of the bag, and vibrating the bag to evenly distribute, de-aerate, and densify the insulation material to form a pillow. The method further includes the steps of compressing the pillow within a mold to define a compressed insulation member, and evacuating the compressed insulation member within an insulated structure to define a vacuum insulated structure.

A kit for encapsulating a length of pipe features first and second foam sections cooperatively shaped to form a cavity with open ends in a working configuration of the foam sections for receiving the length of pipe therein. A low density foam, which is lower in density than the material of the foam sections, fills an unoccupied space in the cavity so as to provide cushioning for the length of pipe such that movement of the length of pipe within the cavity is permitted and stress on the length of pipe is reduced. The foam sections may be reinforced with reinforcing membranes carried in a main body of the respective foam section. The reinforcing membranes may act to hold the foam material of the respective section together and to prevent puncture along a full thickness of the foam sections from abrasive debris in the ground.

A kit for encapsulating a length of pipe features first and second foam sections cooperatively shaped to form a cavity with open ends in a working configuration of the foam sections for receiving the length of pipe therein. A low density foam, which is lower in density than the material of the foam sections, fills an unoccupied space in the cavity so as to provide cushioning for the length of pipe such that movement of the length of pipe within the cavity is permitted and stress on the length of pipe is reduced. The foam sections may be reinforced with reinforcing membranes carried in a main body of the respective foam section. The reinforcing membranes may act to hold the foam material of the respective section together and to prevent puncture along a full thickness of the foam sections from abrasive debris in the ground.

The system may include a sheet of tape comprised of one-piece with a second side including an adhesive surface; a backing surface removably adhered to the second side of the sheet of tape; a first edge of the sheet of tape being a straight edge; the second edge being a length from a heel area to a toe area of a blade of a hockey stick; the second edge including a concave portion shaped similar to a curve of a top of the blade; the third edge being a length from the heel area to the toe area of the blade; the third edge including a concave portion shaped similar to the curve of the top of the blade; and the fourth edge including two convex portions shaped similar to a toe of the blade.

The system may include a sheet of tape comprised of one-piece with a second side including an adhesive surface; a backing surface removably adhered to the second side of the sheet of tape; a first edge of the sheet of tape being a straight edge; the second edge being a length from a heel area to a toe area of a blade of a hockey stick; the second edge including a concave portion shaped similar to a curve of a top of the blade; the third edge being a length from the heel area to the toe area of the blade; the third edge including a concave portion shaped similar to the curve of the top of the blade; and the fourth edge including two convex portions shaped similar to a toe of the blade.

A fillet for a composite panel may be formed by pulling a prepreg slit tape from a spool and winding the slit tape into a fillet mold around the perimeter of a wheel. The tension, heat, and speed may all be adjusted during the winding process. A guide may guide the slit tape to specific locations in the fillet mold. The fillet may be removed from the wheel and coupled to the composite panel and cured.