Abstract: The process for thermally bonding plastics is capable of bonding two tubings over a very small circumferential overlap area and the bond formed thereby, is able to withstand high peel and shear forces. The method includes the steps of: providing a stepped mandrel having a smaller diameter portion and a larger diameter portion; sliding a first tubing over the smaller portion; sliding a second tubing over the larger portion and slightly over the first tubing to establish an overlapping area to be bonded; sliding a shrink tubing over the second tubing to a position over the overlapping area; placing the overlapping area in a die; and heating the die a sufficient amount for a sufficient time to cause bonding of the first tubing to the second tubing. Preferably, the first tubing is made of a substantially non-crosslinked olefin and the second tubing is made of a highly crosslinked (heat shrink) polyolefin.

Abstract: The curving tip catheter is adapted to be inserted into and through the lumen of a blood vessel in a network of branching blood vessels in a body and is manipulatable therethrough to a desired blood vessel branch within the network of branching blood vessels. The catheter includes an elongate tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a flexible tubular tip portion located at the distal end of the elongate tubular body. The catheter further includes at least first and second elongate passageways within the tubular body and at least first and second elongate lumens within the flexible tip portion and which mate with the first and second respective elongate passageways of the tubular body. The tubular body includes braided wire embedded into the wall of the tubular body, or an inner tubular lining within the tubular body situated between the tubular body and the first and second elongate passageways, both of which provide torsional stiffness to the tubular body.

Abstract: A vessel dilation device is provided for use within the vascular system, such device including a braided cylinder that has an adjustable axial length and that is structured such that reduction of its adjustable axial length increases its radial size in order to effect a desired extent of dilation.