Abstract: A working channel for an endoscope or similar device having concentric porous and nonporous polymer tubes that are adhered or bonded together. A support wire may be wrapped around a nonporous inner tube and provides increased flexibility and resistance to compression and kinking. A porous outer tube fits over the support wire and inner tube and bonds to the inner tube, encapsulating the support wire. The outer tube may have a smooth or corrugated exterior, depending on the intended use of the working channel. Methods for manufacturing the working channel are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine and method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. In the machine, these clamping members include aligned first and second sections of a mandrel. These first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. At the end of this relative rotation, the mandrel sections engage one another. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed. Rotation continues while the tube is cooled.

Abstract: A method for forming a spring coil in a length of hollow, cylindrical thermoplastic tubing comprises clamping the ends of a predetermined length of cylindrical thermoplastic tubing between first and second opposing spaced clamping members. The first and second clamping members then are rotated relative to one another by a predetermined amount selected to be slightly in excess of 360°, while the mandrels are simultaneously moved toward one another, to shorten the distance between the ends of the length of tubing, while the coil is formed. The clamped tube, with the coil now formed around the mandrels, is rotated and simultaneously heated to the thermosetting temperature of the tubing. After a sufficient time to establish thermosetting of the coil, the heat is removed; the tube is cooled and released from the machine.

Abstract: A joint implant is presented having an elongated cylindrical member with an annular spacer which accommodates the diameter of the cylindrical member by fitting loosely over the cylindrical member. The ends of the elongated cylindrical member are designed for insertion into the intramedullary canals of adjacent bones while the annular spacer is designed to cushion the joint and maintain proper spacing between the bones.