Method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer in which at least one finger tab is formed at one end of a tube.

1 . A method comprising: 
 providing a mold having a cavity, wherein a first portion of the cavity forms at least one finger tab, a second portion of the cavity forms a tube, and a third portion of the cavity forms a hinge between the first portion of the cavity and the second portion of the cavity;    feeding a molten polymer into the cavity of the mold; and    cooling the polymer.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 providing a fourth portion of the cavity which forms a self-sealing valve.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein feeding a molten polymer occurs through one of injection molding, multi-injection molding, co-injection molding, and gas assist molding.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least two polymers are co-injected into the mold.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 ejecting a one-piece introducer.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 inserting a valve into the tube.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 forming a plurality of finger tabs.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer, polyetheramide, polycarbonate, polyester with glass fiber, polyester with carbon filler, polyamide with glass fiber, thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefins and polyamide with carbon filler.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is introduced into a mold at a temperature approximately in the range of 200 C to 340 C.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer is introduced at a pressure approximately in the range of 1,000 psi to 5,000 psi.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the cavity forms a second finger tab.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein one of a longitudinal scoreline and offline scoreline is formed in the tube of the introducer.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a beveled tip is formed at a distal end of a tube of the introducer.  
     
     
         14 . A method of making a one-piece introducer comprising: 
 providing a mold having a cavity, wherein a proximal portion having a finger tab portion and a distal portion having a tube portion, wherein the finger tab portion is connected to the tube portion through a hinge portion;    introducing molten polymer into a cavity of a mold; and    forming a scoreline along the tube portion.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer, polyetheramide, polycarbonate, polyester with glass fiber, polyester with carbon filler, polyamide with glass fiber, polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers and polyamide with carbon filler.  
     
     
         16 . A one-piece introducer for an intravascular device, comprising: 
 at least one finger tab portion;    a tube portion;    a hinge portion between the finger tab portion and the tube portion, wherein the finger tab portion, the hinge portion, and the tube portion form a seamless introducer.    
     
     
         17 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 16 , comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer, polyetheramide, polycarbonate, polyester with glass fiber, polyester with carbon filler, polyamide with glass fiber, thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefins and polyamide with carbon filler.  
     
     
         18 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 16 , wherein the tube portion is substantially hollow.  
     
     
         19 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 16 , wherein the finger tab portion has a shape which is one of substantially rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, and square.  
     
     
         20 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a scoreline formed on the tube portion.    
     
     
         21 . A one-piece introducer comprising: 
 at least one finger tab portion;    a tube portion having a scoreline, wherein the at least one finger tab portion and the tube portion are seamless.    
     
     
         22 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 1 , wherein a hinge is located between the tube portion and the at least one finger tab portion.  
     
     
         23 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 21 , wherein the tube portion is substantially hollow.  
     
     
         24 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 21 , wherein the finger tab portion has a shape which is one of substantially rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, and square.  
     
     
         25 . A one-piece introducer comprising: 
 a tube;    the first finger tab and the second finger tab formed at a proximal end of the tube without seams; and    a scoreline formed on the tube.    
     
     
         26 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 a safety valve is coupled at the proximal end of the tube.    
     
     
         27 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 25 , comprises a polymer, the polymer is selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer, polyetheramide, polycarbonate, polyester with glass fiber, polyester with carbon filler, polyamide with glass fiber, thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefins and polyamide with carbon filler.  
     
     
         28 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 25 , wherein the scoreline extends to a beveled distal tip of the tube portion.  
     
     
         29 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 25 , wherein the tube is substantially hollow.  
     
     
         30 . The one-piece introducer of  claim 25 , wherein the finger tab portion has a shape which is one of substantially rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, and square.