Devices and methods for providing a kink resistant peel away sheath are disclosed. One device includes a sheath for insertion into a vasculature of a patient. The sheath comprises a sheath body having an outer surface, a longitudinal axis and a lumen formed therethrough. The sheath body comprises an inner layer arranged about the longitudinal axis, an outer layer coaxially arranged with the inner layer, and a support layer positioned between the inner and outer layers, wherein the inner, outer and support layers are laminated together to form the sheath body. The sheath also comprises at least one shear line positioned beneath the outer surface of the sheath body, and configured to facilitate the longitudinal separation of the sheath body along the at least one shear line.

Expandable introducer systems are provided. An expandable introducer system can include an expandable introducer, an expander, a support member, and/or an exchange dilator. The expandable introducer may be configured to transition from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration. For example, the expander may be displaced through the expandable introducer and transition the expandable introducer from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration. The support member may be disposed within the expandable introducer that is in the expanded configuration to maintain the expandable introducer in the expanded configuration.

Expandable introducer systems are provided. An expandable introducer system can include an expandable introducer, an expander, a support member, and/or an exchange dilator. The expandable introducer may be configured to transition from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration. For example, the expander may be displaced through the expandable introducer and transition the expandable introducer from the unexpanded configuration to the expanded configuration. The support member may be disposed within the expandable introducer that is in the expanded configuration to maintain the expandable introducer in the expanded configuration.

The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling.

An example medical device includes a balloon that is inflatable to an inflated configuration. The balloon includes a non-compliant layer coextruded on an inner layer, and an outer layer coextruded on the non-compliant layer. The non-compliant layer is configured to delaminate from the inner and the outer layers in the inflated configuration. The non-compliant layer may be configured to rupture in the inflated configuration. An example technique includes inflating the balloon to a predetermined pressure sufficient to rupture the non-compliant layer and insufficient to rupture both the inner and outer layers. The example technique further includes deflating the balloon, and introducing the balloon into a vasculature. Another example technique includes coextruding a non-compliant layer on an inner layer, coextruding an outer layer on the non-compliant layer, and forming a balloon from the inner layer, the non-compliant layer, and the outer layer.

An example medical device includes a balloon that is inflatable to an inflated configuration. The balloon includes a non-compliant layer coextruded on an inner layer, and an outer layer coextruded on the non-compliant layer. The non-compliant layer is configured to delaminate from the inner and the outer layers in the inflated configuration. The non-compliant layer may be configured to rupture in the inflated configuration. An example technique includes inflating the balloon to a predetermined pressure sufficient to rupture the non-compliant layer and insufficient to rupture both the inner and outer layers. The example technique further includes deflating the balloon, and introducing the balloon into a vasculature. Another example technique includes coextruding a non-compliant layer on an inner layer, coextruding an outer layer on the non-compliant layer, and forming a balloon from the inner layer, the non-compliant layer, and the outer layer.

The present invention provides an LCP extruded film comprising a thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer and having a thickness of 15 m or more and 300 m or less, wherein coefficients of linear thermal expansion in a MD direction and a TD direction at 23 to 200 C. as measured by a TMA method according to JIS K7197 are each within a range of 30 to 55 ppm/K, and the following conditions (A) and/or (B) are satisfied, and a method for manufacturing the same, an LCP extruded film for stretch treatment, an LCP stretched film, a heat-shrinkable LCP stretched film, an insulating material for a circuit substrate, and a metal foil-clad laminate: (A) a degree of orientation 1 (%) of a film surface S1 exposed and a degree of orientation 2 (%) of a film surface S2 located at a depth of 5 m from the film surface S1 satisfy a relationship of 4.0[(21)/1]1000.0; (B) a hardness H1 at a point of a depth of 1 m located at a position of 1 m from a film surface in a thickness direction and a hardness H2 at a thickness center point, as measured by subjecting a film cross section in parallel with a MD direction to a nanoindentation method, satisfy 10.0100(H2H1)/H10.0.

The present invention provides an LCP extruded film comprising a thermoplastic liquid crystal polymer and having a thickness of 15 m or more and 300 m or less, wherein coefficients of linear thermal expansion in a MD direction and a TD direction at 23 to 200 C. as measured by a TMA method according to JIS K7197 are each within a range of 30 to 55 ppm/K, and the following conditions (A) and/or (B) are satisfied, and a method for manufacturing the same, an LCP extruded film for stretch treatment, an LCP stretched film, a heat-shrinkable LCP stretched film, an insulating material for a circuit substrate, and a metal foil-clad laminate: (A) a degree of orientation 1 (%) of a film surface S1 exposed and a degree of orientation 2 (%) of a film surface S2 located at a depth of 5 m from the film surface S1 satisfy a relationship of 4.0[(21)/1]1000.0; (B) a hardness H1 at a point of a depth of 1 m located at a position of 1 m from a film surface in a thickness direction and a hardness H2 at a thickness center point, as measured by subjecting a film cross section in parallel with a MD direction to a nanoindentation method, satisfy 10.0100(H2H1)/H10.0.

The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling.

The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling. A liner sheet may be attached to the feedstock sheet prior to, during, or after forming and can be peelable therefrom.