US Patent 7638087 Medico-surgical tubes and methods of manufacture

Patent 7638087 was granted and assigned to Smiths Group PLC on December, 2009 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Overview Structured Data Issues Contributors Activity

Is a

Patent

Patent attributes

Current Assignee

Smiths Group PLC

Patent Jurisdiction

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number

7638087

Date of Patent

December 29, 2009

Patent Application Number

10349926

Date Filed

January 24, 2003

Patent Primary Examiner

Nicholas D Lucchesi

Patent abstract

An epidural catheter has a closed, soft patient end region with a side opening. The catheter is formed from a two-layer extruded tube in which the outer layer is of a harder material than the inner layer. A heated pin is inserted in one end of the tube to expand its diameter. An annular grinding tool is then moved along the expanded region to remove the outer, hard layer in this region. The end of the tube is subsequently closed and the side opening is formed.