The present disclosure provides a processing method for a polymer material to create a medical device with improved mechanical properties. This method allows better tailoring of the material's mechanical properties, hence a device to withstand greater structural loads in vivo. The method comprises providing an extruded polymer tube having an initial diameter and an initial length along a longitudinal direction, and longitudinally, bi-directionally straining the extruded polymer tube in a mold from the initial length to an expanded or extended length. The mold comprises a plurality of stationary heating elements. After longitudinally straining the tube, it is radially expanding in the mold from the initial diameter to an expanded diameter.

The present invention refers to a versatile gas-barrier multilayer heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film that, by minimal variations in its manufacturing process, becomes suitable for the manufacture of packages, called Flowpack, on horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) machines, of tray-lidded packages or of shrinkable packaging bags. This film comprises a first outer sealant layer, a second outer polyester layer, an inner barrier layer, no polyamide or polyester inner layer(s), no polyolefin layers positioned between the barrier layer and the sealant layer and at least a polyolefin bulk layer of specific relative thickness placed between the inner barrier layer and the outer polyester layer.

The present invention refers to a versatile gas-barrier multilayer heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film that, by minimal variations in its manufacturing process, becomes suitable for the manufacture of packages, called Flowpack, on horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) machines, of tray-lidded packages or of shrinkable packaging bags. This film comprises a first outer sealant layer, a second outer polyester layer, an inner barrier layer, no polyamide or polyester inner layer(s), no polyolefin layers positioned between the barrier layer and the sealant layer and at least a polyolefin bulk layer of specific relative thickness placed between the inner barrier layer and the outer polyester layer.

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.

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.

Elongated shaft for a catheter including a single layer biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D is provided. Elongated shaft for a catheter prepared by a process is also provided.

Elongated shaft for a catheter including a single layer biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D is provided. Elongated shaft for a catheter prepared by a process is also provided.

A machine for producing coils of prestretched extendible film has a prestretching unit (10) for prestretching the film (F) and a winding unit (100) for winding the film in a coil provided with a series of rollers around which the advancing film winds partially; the winding unit comprises a winding roller (104) in pressing contact against the coil (R) of the prestretched film in winding progress; to obtain coils of constant diameter and high winding quality the final contact position is varied of the winding roller (104) against the coil (R) according to the length of the wound film and according to the required diameter of coil.

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.

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.