In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.

Methods for making medical devices and portions of medical devices (e.g., intravascular catheters, catheter shafts, and tubular guiding members) are provided. Example methods may include providing a first ribbon comprising one or more thermoplastic materials and a piece of shrink tubing defining a shrink tube lumen and forming a first assembly by positioning the first ribbon inside the shrink tube lumen and urging the first ribbon to assume a tubular shape in which the first ribbon defines a ribbon lumen. A second assembly may be formed by loading an inner tubular member over a mandrel and forming or placing a support structure over an outer surface of the inner tubular member. A third assembly may be formed by inserting the second assembly into the ribbon lumen defined by the first ribbon of the first assembly. The third assembly may be heated to a process temperature.

Methods for making medical devices and portions of medical devices (e.g., intravascular catheters, catheter shafts, and tubular guiding members) are provided. Example methods may include providing a first ribbon comprising one or more thermoplastic materials and a piece of shrink tubing defining a shrink tube lumen and forming a first assembly by positioning the first ribbon inside the shrink tube lumen and urging the first ribbon to assume a tubular shape in which the first ribbon defines a ribbon lumen. A second assembly may be formed by loading an inner tubular member over a mandrel and forming or placing a support structure over an outer surface of the inner tubular member. A third assembly may be formed by inserting the second assembly into the ribbon lumen defined by the first ribbon of the first assembly. The third assembly may be heated to a process temperature.

A method of installing a heat shrink cover around a component includes providing an electrical heating system having an electrical heating unit and an electronic control unit connected to the electrical heating unit. The method includes attaching the electrical heating unit to an outer surface of the heat shrink cover, arranging the heat shrink cover around the component, retrieving a set-up parameter of the heat-shrink cover and/or the component, generating a set-up value indicative of the set-up parameter, and energizing the electrical heating unit to provide heat for heat-recovering the heat shrink cover. The energizing step is performed in response to the set-up value.

A method of installing a heat shrink cover around a component includes providing an electrical heating system having an electrical heating unit and an electronic control unit connected to the electrical heating unit. The method includes attaching the electrical heating unit to an outer surface of the heat shrink cover, arranging the heat shrink cover around the component, retrieving a set-up parameter of the heat-shrink cover and/or the component, generating a set-up value indicative of the set-up parameter, and energizing the electrical heating unit to provide heat for heat-recovering the heat shrink cover. The energizing step is performed in response to the set-up value.

Sizing catheters that include an inner member and an outer member. The inner member includes an elongate shaft and a plurality of radiopaque markers spaced axially from each other and secured to an outer surface of the shaft, the span of radiopaque markers defining a first portion of the inner member. The outer member that is disposed snugly around and in substantial contact with the inner member along at least the first portion of the inner member.

In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.

The disclosure describes a medical electrical lead including bonding strip to bond an elongate electrode coil to an elongate lead body to reduce damage to the medical electrical lead during manipulation of the medical electrical lead. The elongate lead body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongate electrode coil surrounds at least part of the distal portion of the elongate lead body. The bonding strip extends axially along the elongate electrode coil and extends only partially around the circumference of the elongate electrode coil for at least part of the length of the bonding strip, where at least a portion of the bonding strip is bonded to the elongate lead body to fix a portion of the elongate electrode coil to the elongate lead body.

The disclosure describes a medical electrical lead including bonding strip to bond an elongate electrode coil to an elongate lead body to reduce damage to the medical electrical lead during manipulation of the medical electrical lead. The elongate lead body extends from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The elongate electrode coil surrounds at least part of the distal portion of the elongate lead body. The bonding strip extends axially along the elongate electrode coil and extends only partially around the circumference of the elongate electrode coil for at least part of the length of the bonding strip, where at least a portion of the bonding strip is bonded to the elongate lead body to fix a portion of the elongate electrode coil to the elongate lead body.

In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.