Catheter Having Selectively Varied Lamination

Abstract

A tubular medical catheter having at least one region of selectively varied lamination is provided herein.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A method for making a medical catheter comprising at least one region of selectively varied lamination, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a medical catheter comprising an inner liner;    applying a material for forming an outer shell over the inner liner;    interfering with the bonding between the inner liner and the outer shell in at least one selective region; and    wherein said selectively varied lamination is achieved by one of the following:    a) the inner liner bonds to the outer shell by means of a thermoplastic bond and a thermal bond inhibiting agent is selectively applied to the outer surface of the inner liner; or    b) the inner liner bonds to the outer shell by means of a thermoplastic tie layer which is selectively applied to the outer surface of the inner layer; or    c) the inner liner bonds to the outer shell by means of an adhesive which is selectively applied to the outer surface of the inner layer.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the interfering step comprises masking the at least one selective region of the inner liner prior to etching the inner liner.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the method further comprises providing a tie layer between the inner liner and the outer shell and wherein the interfering step comprises introducing gaps in a tie layer between the inner liner and outer shell.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the interfering step comprises applying a thermal bonding inhibitor to the at least one selective region of the inner liner.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising applying a reinforcing section over the inner liner prior to applying material to form the outer shell.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the inner liner is melt-extruded ultra high molecular weight high density polyethylene.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the interfering step comprises masking the at least one selective region of the inner liner prior to laser etching the inner liner.