TUBE/MANDREL ASSEMBLIES
The disclosure relates to assemblies of thin-walled tubes and mandrels for use in thin wall catheter liners. For example, an assembly is provided that includes a thin-walled PTFE tube comprising walls with a thickness of less than 0.004 inches, positioned over a filled mandrel comprising PTFE with one or more fillers incorporated therein. The disclosure further provides, independently, thin-walled tubes and filled mandrels, as well as methods of making and using such components.
1 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . A tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an inner lumen, the tube comprising PTFE with a wall thickness less than 0.0040 inches, wherein the tube has a stress at break above 10,000 psi; and
wherein the inner surface comprises patterning.
24 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum average surface roughness, Ra, of 8 μ-inch and/or a minimum LMS surface roughness, Rm, of 25 μ-inch.
25 . The tube of claim 24 , wherein the inner surface has both a minimum average surface roughness, Ra, of 8 μ-inch and a minimum LMS surface roughness, Rm, of 25 μ-inch.
26 . The tube of claim 23 , consisting essentially of PTFE.
27 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the patterning comprises indentations.
28 . The tube of claim 27 , wherein the indentations are substantially spherical.
29 . The tube of claim 27 , wherein the indentations are substantially homogeneous throughout the inner surface.
30 . The tube of claim 28 , wherein the indentations are substantially homogeneous throughout the inner surface.
31 . The tube of claim 27 , wherein the indentations are in the form of a random microstructure.
32 . The tube of claim 28 , wherein the indentations are in the form of a random microstructure.
33 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum average surface roughness, Ra, of 8 μ-inch.
34 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum average surface roughness, Ra, of 10 μ-inch.
35 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum average surface roughness, Ra, of 20 μ-inch.
36 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum LMS surface roughness, Rm, of 25 μ-inch.
37 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the inner surface has a minimum LMS surface roughness, Rm, of 30 μ-inch.
38 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the wall thickness is less than 0.0020 inches.
39 . The tube of claim 23 , wherein the stress at break is 11,000 psi or greater.
40 . A medical device comprising the tube of claim 23 .
41 . The medical device of claim 40 , wherein the medical device is a catheter.