Method for making disposable tubular device

Abstract

A method of making a disposable tubular device comprising extruding a first material through a first die to form the tube and moving the tube through the second die while extruding a second material through the second die to form the tube-support structure. The second material has a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of the two passageways being formed by the tube and a second of the two passageways being formed by the tube and the tube-support structure, the method comprising: 
       extruding a first material through a first die to form the tube, the said first material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube;  
       moving the tube through a second die while extruding a second material through the second die to form the tube-support structure;  
       the second material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.  
     
     
       2. A method as set forth in claim  1  wherein the second die is configured to form a sleeve around the tube, the sleeve comprising the tube-support structure. 
     
     
       3. A method as set forth in claim  2  wherein the first die is configured such that step of extruding the first material through the first die forms the tube with a fluted outer surface having elongate flutes, the flutes extending along substantially the entire length of the tube. 
     
     
       4. A method as set forth in claim  3  wherein the second die is configured to form the sleeve in a friction fit over the tube, the flutes and an inner surface of the sleeve defining a plurality of fluid passageways. 
     
     
       5. A method as set forth in claim  1  wherein the first material is a polyvinyl chloride having a durometer hardness reading between approximately 80 Shore A and 90 Shore A. 
     
     
       6. A method as set forth in claim  5  wherein the second material is a polyvinyl chloride having a durometer hardness reading of at least approximately 60 Shore D. 
     
     
       7. A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, the method comprising:  
       extruding a first material through a first die  to form the tube, the first material having a durometer hardness reading between approximately 80 Shore A and 90 Shore A;  
       moving the tube through a second  die while extruding a second material through the second  die to form the tube-support structure in a friction fit over the elongate tube, the second material having a durometer hardness reading of at least approximately 60 Shore D.  
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in claim  7  wherein the first material and the second material are polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
       9. A method as set forth in claim  7  wherein the second  die is configured to form a sleeve around the tube, the sleeve comprising the tube-support structure. 
     
     
       10. A method as set forth in claim  9  wherein the first die is configured such that  step of extending the first material through the first die  forms the tube with a fluted outer surface having elongate flutes, the flutes extending along substantially the entire length of the tube. 
     
     
       11. A method as set forth in claim  10  wherein the flutes and an inner surface of the sleeve define a plurality of fluid passageways. 
     
     
       12. A method for making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube-support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube-support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of the two passageways being formed by the tube and a second of the two passageways being formed by the tube and the tube-support structure, the method comprising: 
       extruding a first polyvinyl chloride material through a first die  to form the tube with a fluted outer surface having elongate flutes extending along substantially the entire length of the tube, the material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube;  
       moving the tube through a second  die while extruding a second polyvinyl chloride material through the second  die to form the tube-support structure, the second  die being configured to form the tube-support structure in a friction fit over the elongate tube;  
       the second polyvinyl chloride material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first polyvinyl chloride material.  
     
     
       13. A method as set forth in claim  12  wherein the first polyvinyl chloride material has a durometer hardness reading between approximately 80 Shore A and 90 Shore A. 
     
     
       14. A method as set forth in claim  13  wherein the second polyvinyl chloride material has a durometer hardness reading of at least approximately 60 Shore D. 
     
     
       15. A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube- support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube - support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of said passageways being formed by the tube and a second of said passageways being formed by the tube and the tube - support structure, the method comprising the steps of forming a first material into the tube and forming a second material into the tube - support structure so the structure has a friction fit with the tube, said first material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube, said second material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.    
     
     
       16. A method of making a disposable tubular device adapted for releasable and sealing connection to a medical instrument for transporting fluid between a patient and the instrument, the instrument having a nipple for engagement with the tubular device, the device comprising a pliable elongate tube of resilient material and a tube- support structure having a stiffness greater than that of the tube and extending substantially the entire length of the tube, the tube and tube - support structure forming at least two distinct passageways, a first of the two passageways being formed by the tube and a second of the two passageways being formed by the tube and the tube - support structure, the method comprising:    
       
         extruding a first material to form the tube, said first material being sufficiently pliable to form a seal around the nipple for sealing against fluid leakage between the nipple and the tube;  
       
         moving the tube through a die while extruding a second material through the die to form the tube - support structure having a friction fit with the tube;    
       
         the second material having a surface hardness which is greater than the surface hardness of the first material.  
       
     
     
       17. A method as set forth in claim  16  wherein the die is configured to form a sleeve around the tube, the sleeve comprising the tube- support structure.    
     
     
       18. A method as set forth in claim  17  wherein the step of extruding the first material forms the tube with a fluted outer surface having elongate flutes, the flutes extending along substantially the entire length of the tube.  
     
     
       19. A method as set forth in claim  16  wherein the first material is a polyvinyl chloride having a durometer hardness reading between approximately  80  Shore A and  90  Shore A.  
     
     
       20. A method as set forth in claim  19  wherein the second material is a polyvinyl chloride having a durometer hardness reading of at least approximately  60  Shore D.