초록

An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing an integral one-piece catheter having a tube and a hub. A mold having a mold cavity into which molten polymer is fed to form the hub and tube, and into which gas is injected into an inlet of the mold.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for forming a single-piece catheter, comprising:a mold cavity with a tube portion having a beveled distal end and a hub portion extending from the tube portion, the mold cavity having a first orifice to receive a molt polymer and a second, separate orifice coupled to a gate to receiv

1. An apparatus for forming a single-piece catheter, comprising:a mold cavity with a tube portion having a beveled distal end and a hub portion extending from the tube portion, the mold cavity having a first orifice to receive a molt polymer and a second, separate orifice coupled to a gate to receive a gas which is injected under pressure into the gate. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hub portion has a cavity for forming a lock at the proximal end of the hub portion, the lock is one of a male lock and a female lock. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second orifices communicate through a common portion of the cavity. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the aspect ratio is greater than 200. 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lock is substantially cylindrical in shape. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, the orifice is located in the hub portion of the cavity. 7. The apparatus of claim 2, the orifice is located in the tube portion of the cavity. 8. An apparatus used for making a single-piece catheter, comprising:means for injecting a first polymer into a first cavity of a first mold to form a first portion;means for inserting the first portion into a second mold;means for injecting a second polymer into a second cavity of a second mold to form a second portion;means for injecting a fluid through an inlet of the second mold wherein the fluid pushes a second polymer forming a tube from a first length to a second length. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second portion has a beveled distal end. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first portion has a cavity for forming a lock at the proximal end of the first portion. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lock is one of a male lock and a female lock. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the aspect ratio is greater than 200. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lock is substantially cylindrical in shape. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, the orifice is located in the first portion of the cavity. 15. The apparatus of claim 8, the orifice is located in the tube portion of the cavity. 16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first length of the second portion is hollow. 17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second length of the second portion is hollow. 18. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first length of the second portion is solid. 19. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first portion is rotated from a first position to a second position; and the first portion is secured to a second mold. 20. A mold for forming a single-piece hub and tube comprising:a mold cavity with a tube portion and a hub portion extending from the tube portion, the mold cavity having a first orifice to receive a molten polymer and a second, separate orifice coupled to a gate to receive a gas which is injected under pressure into the gate;the hub portion has a connector portion at the proximal end of the hub portion;the tube portion has a distal end which is beveled; the mold being adapted for a first polymer to be injected into the hub portion; and a second polymer to be injected into the tube portion. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the connector portion is one of a male lock and a female lock. 22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the aspect ratio is greater than 200. 23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the connector portion is substantially cylindrical in shape. 24. The apparatus of claim 20, the orifice is located in at least one of the hub portion and tube portion of the cavity. 25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a hub portion which is formed is from the hub portion of the mold cavity is rotated by a rotator coupled to the mold from a first position to a second position; and the hub portion is secured to a second mold. 26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and second orifices communicate through a common portion of the cavity.