Method of fabricating a surgical device
A surgical device ( 204 ) comprising a first tube ( 232 ) having an axis ( 233 ) and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall, the first tube comprising a plurality of integrally-formed interlocking segments ( 234 ).
1. A method of fabricating a surgical device comprising the steps of:
providing a first preform having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall;
drawing the first preform to form a tube having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall;
segmenting the tube into a plurality of interlocking segments;
providing a second preform having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall;
drawing the second preform to form a second tube having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall and rotating either the second preform or the second tube during the drawing process; and
abutting the second tube to the first tube.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of rotating comprises rotating the second preform or the second tube at a constant revolution rate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the second preform comprises providing a second preform comprising polymer or glass.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein: (a) the step of drawing the first preform comprises drawing the first preform using a fibre drawing process; and/or the step of providing a first preform comprises providing a first preform comprising polymer or glass.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a first preform comprises providing a first preform comprising an internal wall.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of segmenting the first tube comprises laser cutting the tube to form the interlocking segments.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of segmenting the first tube comprises a mechanical cutting process, a chemical etching process and/or a lithography process.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
supporting the plurality of interlocking segments;
applying axial compression to the plurality of interlocking segments; and
feeding a tendon through the channel of the first tube.
9. A method of fabricating a surgical device comprising the steps of:
providing a first preform having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall;
drawing the first preform using a fibre drawing process to form a tube having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall; and
segmenting the tube into a plurality of interlocking segments;
wherein the step of drawing the preform comprises the steps of, in any order:
fibre drawing the first preform to form the first tube; and
fibre drawing the first preform to form a second tube and rotating either the first preform or the second tube during the drawing of the second tube.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the steps of fibre drawing the first preform to form the first tube and fibre-drawing the first preform to form the second tube, form a continuous fibre drawing process.