Abstract: A splittable introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion formed from a first material and at least one stripe extending an entire length of the main body portion, the at least one stripe being formed form a second material. The first material is one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a friction-reducing additive or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a friction-reducing additive. The second material is a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive. The sheath is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe.

Abstract: A splittable introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion formed from a first material and at least one stripe extending an entire length of the main body portion, the at least one stripe being formed form a second material. The first material is one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a friction-reducing additive or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a friction-reducing additive. The second material is a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive. The sheath is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a swab for collecting a biological specimen includes extruding a first portion of a stem with at least one of a first taper and/or a first wall thickness, and extruding a second portion of the stem with at least one of a second taper and/or a second wall thickness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a clipless package for an elongate medical device or other elongate device is provided. The subject invention utilizes adhesives and material surface characteristic modification to bond the tube surfaces together, which overcomes the deficiencies of currently utilized packaging methods. The bonds can be created by a singular application of adhesive or in plurality or combination with a surface modifier, coated surface and/or a surface treatment, or by selection of a singular polymer outer layer that is tacky when fully cooled, whose morphology changes post-extrusion.

Abstract: A splittable introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion formed from a first material and at least one stripe extending an entire length of the main body portion, the at least one stripe being formed form a second material. The first material is one of a medium-density polyethylene modified with a friction-reducing additive or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with a friction-reducing additive. The second material is a thermoplastic elastomer modified with a siloxane additive. The sheath is dividable longitudinally along the at least one stripe.