US20150352319A1 - Peelable heat-shrinking tubing - Google Patents

Peelable heat-shrinking tubing Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150352319A1
US20150352319A1 US14/732,372 US201514732372A US2015352319A1 US 20150352319 A1 US20150352319 A1 US 20150352319A1 US 201514732372 A US201514732372 A US 201514732372A US 2015352319 A1 US2015352319 A1 US 2015352319A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
tubing
resin
less
nick
wall
Prior art date
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Abandoned
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US14/732,372
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English (en)
Inventor
Irina Puzdrjakova Roof
Brian Robert Tomblin
Zeth Eberling
Bruce L. Anneaux
Douglas Lee Tourville
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Zeus Industrial Products Inc
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Zeus Industrial Products Inc
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Publication date
Application filed by Zeus Industrial Products Inc filed Critical Zeus Industrial Products Inc
Priority to US14/732,372 priority Critical patent/US20150352319A1/en
Priority to US14/753,115 priority patent/US9440044B2/en
Publication of US20150352319A1 publication Critical patent/US20150352319A1/en
Assigned to ZEUS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC. reassignment ZEUS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ANNEAUX, BRUCE L., ROOF, Irina Puzdrjakova, TOMBLIN, Brian Robert, TOURVILLE, Douglas Lee, EBERLING, Zeth
Priority to US15/242,677 priority patent/US9901661B2/en
Priority to US15/866,500 priority patent/US10434222B2/en
Priority to US18/417,338 priority patent/US20240173461A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L29/00—Materials for catheters, medical tubing, cannulae, or endoscopes or for coating catheters
    • A61L29/04—Macromolecular materials
    • A61L29/041—Macromolecular materials obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L29/00—Materials for catheters, medical tubing, cannulae, or endoscopes or for coating catheters
    • A61L29/04—Macromolecular materials
    • A61L29/049—Mixtures of macromolecular compounds
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L29/00—Materials for catheters, medical tubing, cannulae, or endoscopes or for coating catheters
    • A61L29/14—Materials characterised by their function or physical properties, e.g. lubricating compositions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0009—Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0021—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by the form of the tubing
    • A61M25/0023—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by the form of the tubing by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0043—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features
    • A61M25/0045—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features multi-layered, e.g. coated
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/09—Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
    • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/08—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L11/00—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes
    • F16L11/04—Hoses, i.e. flexible pipes made of rubber or flexible plastics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/0043—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features
    • A61M2025/0063—Catheters; Hollow probes characterised by structural features having means, e.g. stylets, mandrils, rods or wires to reinforce or adjust temporarily the stiffness, column strength or pushability of catheters which are already inserted into the human body
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0049—Heat shrinkable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
    • B29L2023/22—Tubes or pipes, i.e. rigid
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
    • Y10T428/1328—Shrinkable or shrunk [e.g., due to heat, solvent, volatile agent, restraint removal, etc.]

Definitions

  • the present application is directed to heat shrink polymeric tubing and methods for making such heat shrink polymeric tubing, which finds application in a variety of fields.
  • Heat shrink tubing generally comprises a plastic material that is extruded into a tubular form and expanded.
  • the extruded and expanded tube is designed to shrink (i.e., decrease in diameter) when heated to a given temperature.
  • heat shrink tubing can serve various functions.
  • It can provide a tight, protective jacketing to closely cover and insulate various elements (e.g., to protect them from abrasion and to provide thermal, chemical, moisture, and/or electrical insulation); it can serve to bundle certain elements together (i.e., within the same heat shrink tube); it can serve to seal/isolate certain elements from others; it can be used to join/fuse two elements, e.g., two tubes together; and it can serve to modify the properties of an underlying material (e.g., by closing around another material and shrinking that material as well).
  • These capabilities render the tubing useful for various purposes and heat shrink tubing finds use across various fields, e.g., medical, chemical, electrical, optical, electronic, aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications fields.
  • heat shrink tubing is particularly beneficial in designing increasingly small and more complex devices to be inserted into the body (e.g., catheters, endoscopes, etc.).
  • One representative medical use of heat shrink tubing is in the context of manufacturing a guide catheter, comprising a tubular structure having an inner layer of a polymer, a middle layer of a wire braid and an outer layer of another polymer.
  • a guide catheter comprising a tubular structure having an inner layer of a polymer, a middle layer of a wire braid and an outer layer of another polymer.
  • an expanded heat shrink tube is typically applied to an assembled shaft around a mandrel and the assembly is exposed to high temperature sufficient to shrink the heat shrink tube.
  • heat shrink tubing is an essential feature of some final products, in many applications (particularly in medical applications), the heat shrink tubing is involved only in the manufacturing of the final product and is removed from the final product prior to use. Therefore, an additional step involved in the use of heat shrink tubing in certain applications, is removal of the heat shrink tubing from the underlying material. Removability of heat shrunk tubing following use thereof can be facilitated by a score line or indentations/perforations added prior or subsequent to use (i.e., heating) of the heat shrink tubing. After use, the heat shrink tubing can be torn along the scored line or indentations/perforations and discarded. Alternatively, a non-pre-scored heat shrink tube is scored down the length of the tubing following use (i.e., after being shrunk), and the tubing is then torn along the line and discarded.
  • the nick or score line to facilitate tearing must be at the proper depth to facilitate tearing without damaging the underlying material. If the nick or score line is too deep or if the tubing does not tear perfectly along the score line or indentations/perforations, the medical device can be rendered useless. Accordingly, there is a need for a tubing that can be applied to device components to encapsulate and compress them as needed, wherein the tubing can be readily and reliably removed (even with a non-uniform geometry, which may be difficult to score to a precise depth) with minimal potential to damage the underlying device components.
  • the present invention relates to heat shrink tubing of various compositions.
  • the heat shrink tubing described herein is described as “peelable,” and can be readily peeled or torn apart in the longitudinal direction (e.g., to remove the heat shrink tubing from an underlying material).
  • This peelability can advantageously allow for the tubing to be provided, used, and removed, in some embodiments, in the absence of any scoring, break lines, indentations, or perforations along the length of the tubing.
  • a small score at the end of a length of tubing can allow one to peel the tubing for a significant length, including the full length of the tubing, providing two substantially equal halves of tubing following complete peeling of the length of tubing.
  • the disclosed tubing can, in some embodiments, exhibit one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of the tubing.
  • the present disclosure provides a tubing, comprising at least one thermoplastic, melt processable fluoropolymer resin, wherein the tubing is less than about 40% crystalline as determined by x-ray diffraction; and wherein the tubing exhibits heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency or transparency through a wall of the tubing.
  • a tubing comprising at least one thermoplastic, melt processable fluoropolymer resin, wherein the tubing is less than about 40% crystalline as determined by x-ray diffraction; and wherein the tubing exhibits heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency or transparency through a wall of the tubing.
  • such tubings exhibit a melting point onset of less than about 230° C.
  • the present disclosure provides a tubing, comprising at least one thermoplastic, melt processable fluoropolymer resin, wherein the tubing exhibits a melting point onset of less than about 230° C.; and wherein the tubing exhibits heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency or transparency through a wall of the tubing.
  • such tubings can comprise no more than one resin and in other embodiments, such tubings can comprise two or more resins (e.g., a main resin and one or more secondary resins).
  • the resin or resins in these tubings can vary and can, in some embodiments, comprise a fluorinated ethylene propylene resin.
  • the at least one resin comprises one or more resins selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) (PAVE), a tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidine fluoride terpolymer (THV), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethylvinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and copolymers, blends, and derivatives thereof.
  • the tubing may comprise an FEP resin as the main resin (e.g., in an amount of at least about 50% by weight) and one or more secondary resins selected from the list above.
  • a tubing comprising no more than one thermoplastic, melt processable fluoropolymer resin, wherein the tubing exhibits heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency or transparency through a wall of the tubing.
  • a tubing can consist essentially of a single thermoplastic melt processable fluoropolymeric resin (e.g., a binary fluorinated copolymer).
  • Exemplary resins for such tubings include, but are not limited to, fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride, perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) (PAVE), a tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidine fluoride terpolymer (THV), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethylvinyl ether copolymer (MFA), and copolymers and derivatives thereof.
  • FEP fluorinated ethylene propylene
  • PFA perfluoroalkoxy alkane
  • PAVE perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers)
  • TSV vinylidine fluor
  • the tubings comprise no physical score line, cut, or nick.
  • the longitudinal peelability does not require a physical score line, cut, or nick or wherein the longitudinal peelability requires a physical score line, cut, or nick that is less than about 1/50 th the length of the tubing.
  • the tubings described herein can, in some embodiments, exhibit translucency or transparency such that the total light transmittance through the wall of tubing is about 90% or greater and wherein the diffuse light transmittance through the wall of the tubing is about 25% or less.
  • a method of using the tubings described herein comprising: applying the tubing around at least a portion of a device comprising multiple components; heating the tubing to cause the tubing to shrink in diameter; cooling the shrunk tubing; and peeling the shrunk tubing from the device to allow for a consistent longitudinal tearing (e.g., in some embodiments, giving two tubing halves of substantially equal size).
  • the method can further comprise nicking or cutting the tubing across the cross-sectional diameter at an end of the tubing, wherein the length of the resulting nick or cut is short with respect to the length of tubing (e.g., less than about 1/50 th the length of the tubing) to facilitate the peeling.
  • a method of preparing certain tubings disclosed herein comprising: selecting a resin or resins that exhibit a melting point onset of less than about 230° C., a percent crystallinity of less than about 40% by x-ray diffraction or both a melting point onset of less than about 230° C., a percent crystallinity of less than about 40% by x-ray diffraction; and extruding the resin or resins into a tubing exhibiting heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency or transparency through a wall of the tubing.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the “peelable” nature of certain tubings disclosed in the present application.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a peelable tubing scored at one longitudinal end of the tubing.
  • tubing comprising a material prepared from one or more polymeric resins.
  • the tubings provided herein exhibit desirable combinations of physical properties.
  • the tubings can be described as “peelable,” or “tearable” in the longitudinal direction, which will be described further herein.
  • the tubings can be described as exhibiting translucency or transparency (e.g., optical clarity).
  • the tubings can be described as exhibiting heat shrink capabilities.
  • the present disclosure provides polymeric tubings that exhibit a combination of heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and/or translucency (e.g., two or all three of these properties).
  • Resin refers to a material consisting essentially of a given type of polymer (e.g., a copolymer). Resins are typically provided in solid form (e.g., as solid pellets), although they are not limited thereto (with other forms including, but not limited to, powders, granules, dispersions, solutions, gels, and the like). In certain embodiments, polymeric resins are homopolymeric (i.e., comprising a single type of repeating monomer unit).
  • polymeric resins are copolymeric resins, comprising, for example, alternating copolymers (having two or more monomer units in a regularly alternating arrangement), periodic copolymers (having two or more monomer units in a regularly repeating sequence), block copolymers (having two or more individual types of monomer segments connected by a covalent bond), or random copolymers (having two or more monomer units randomly arranged with respect to one another).
  • polymeric resins can comprise binary copolymers (i.e., comprising two types of repeating monomer units).
  • polymeric resins are terpolymeric (i.e., comprising three types of repeating monomer units). The compositions and molecular weights of the polymers in a particular resin can vary, as generally understood and as further described below.
  • the tubings disclosed herein comprise one or more fluorinated polymeric resins (e.g., as the sole resin component of a single-resin tubing or as the main polymeric resin and/or some or all secondary resin(s) of a multi-resin tubing).
  • Any fluorinated polymeric resin can be used according to the present disclosure.
  • thermoplastic, melt-processable fluoropolymeric resins are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0255633 to Suzuki et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Particular resins and combinations of resins can lead to unexpected results, as will be detailed herein.
  • fluorinated resins that are useful according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, resins comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA), perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) (PAVE) (e.g., perfluoro(methyl vinyl)ether, PMVE or perfluoro(propyl vinyl)ether (PPVE)), a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoromethylvinyl ether
  • the resin component of a single-resin tubing or the main polymeric resin of a multi-resin tubing is FEP.
  • the tubings disclosed herein can consist of an FEP resin, can consist essentially of an FEP resin or can comprise an FEP resin.
  • the tubings provided are prepared from a single resin (“single-resin tubing”), which can be selected from the exemplary resins disclosed herein. Such tubings will be described as being prepared from and comprising no more than one resin (i.e., a single resin). In specific embodiments, certain single resin tubings can be prepared from and consist essentially of (or consist of) one resin.
  • Certain tubing provided herein is prepared from two or more polymeric resins (“multi-resin tubing”) and will be described as being prepared from and comprising a “main polymeric resin” and one or more “secondary polymeric resins.”
  • the ratio of the main polymeric resin to the secondary polymeric resin(s) in such tubings can range, e.g., from about 60:40 to about 98:2. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the main polymeric resin to the secondary polymeric resin(s) can be between about 70:30 to about 95:5, between about 80:20 and about 90:10.
  • Multi-resin tubings can, in some embodiments, be described as being prepared from such main and secondary polymeric resins, wherein the main polymeric resin is in an amount of at least about 60% by weight, at least about 70% by weight, at least about 75% by weight, at least about 80% by weight, at least about 85% by weight, at least about 88% by weight, or at least about 90% by weight.
  • Multi-resin tubings can alternatively be described as being prepared from such main and secondary polymeric resins, wherein the secondary polymeric resin (or resins) is provided in an amount up to about 30% by weight, up to about 20% by weight, up to about 15% by weight, up to about 12% by weight, up to about 10% by weight, or up to about 8% by weight.
  • preferable polymeric resin ratios in multi-resin tubings may, in some embodiments, be dependent on the tubing diameter and expansion ratio of a given tubing. In other words, to prepare tubing having different diameters and/or different expansion ratios, different polymeric resin ratios may advantageously be employed.
  • the one or more secondary resins may be fluorinated or non-fluorinated.
  • the secondary resin may, in some embodiments, comprise a resin selected from the list above (wherein the secondary resin(s) are different than the main polymeric resin).
  • the main and secondary polymeric resin(s) typically differ from one another in chemical composition but may, in certain embodiments, differ from one another only in, e.g., polymer molecular weight.
  • the secondary polymeric resin may be a non-fluorinated resin.
  • Exemplary non-fluorinated resins that may be useful in the tubing provided herein include, but are not limited to, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and polyethylene (PE) (including low density polyethylene, LDPE).
  • the secondary resin of a multi-resin tubing can comprise a liquid crystal polymer (LCP).
  • LCP liquid crystal polymer
  • the particular LCP employed can vary. It is noted that, although not limited, in some embodiments employing LCP, the resulting tubing may not exhibit heat shrink properties.
  • the secondary resin can comprise a PTFE powder.
  • the type of PTFE powder that is incorporated in such embodiments can vary and may include conventional PTFE extrusion grade powder as well as PTFE granules, particles, and the like of various particle sizes.
  • the incorporation of PTFE powder within a given type of tubing may, in some embodiments, increase the peelability of that tubing.
  • Exemplary combinations of main polymeric resins and secondary polymeric resins include, but are not limited to: FEP and PFA; FEP and PVDF; FEP and ETFE; FEP and LDPE; FEP and PEEK; FEP and THV; and FEP and LCP.
  • selection of the component resins can, in some embodiments, be made based on the desired end product, as will be described more fully herein.
  • resins with similar refractive indices are advantageously selected.
  • resins with dissimilar refractive indices may be modified to bring the apparent refractive indices of the two or more resins closer to one another such that optical clarity and light transmittance are improved and the resulting tubing produced from the modified resin(s) is optically clear as well.
  • a single resin that can be made into a heat shrink product with peelability but is otherwise not optically clear or has high haze can be modified chemically or with additives to achieve all the objects of the present invention.
  • any material modification or manipulation that may enable a tubing meeting the improvements of the present invention to be realized are included.
  • the present disclosure further provides methods of processing these and other resins to provide tubings.
  • the methods by which such single-component resin and multi-component resin peelable, heat-shrink tubings are prepared can vary.
  • the desired resin or resins are formed into a tubular form, e.g., via extrusion and then mechanically expanded.
  • the means by which these steps can be conducted can vary, as will be described herein.
  • the main and secondary resin(s) are generally combined in some manner prior to the forming (e.g., extrusion) process.
  • the main polymeric resin and secondary resin(s) are provided in a given ratio (e.g., each resin in independent pellet form), the two or more resins (e.g., the two types of pellets) are blended, and the blend is heated and directly extruded to provide tubing. This method is referred to herein as the “blending” method.
  • the main polymeric resin and secondary resin(s) are first formed into a compounded premix, also referred to as a “compounded pellet” or a “premix resin.”
  • the main polymeric resin and secondary polymeric resin(s) are mixed and heated in independent pellet form such that a new material comprising the main and secondary polymeric resins is produced and formed into a compounded pellet, which may, in some embodiments, have a reasonably uniform distribution of main and secondary polymeric resins throughout.
  • the compounded pellets are then extruded to provide tubing. Accordingly, this latter method adds an additional heat cycle (i.e., in the production of the compounded pellets) as compared with the “blending” method. This method is referred to herein as the “premix” method.
  • the single resin, the “blended” combination of resins, or the “premix resin” is formed into a tube, e.g., by subjecting the resin or resins to extrusion.
  • Extrusion generally comprises placing the desired resin or resins (typically in pellet form) into an extruder (e.g., a screw extruder). Within the extruder, the resin or resins are heated, compressed, and forced through an annular die set, creating a tube. Tubes of various diameters and lengths can be produced. The tube dimensions can be set by the tooling size on the extrusion line and this and other parameters of the extrusion step can be adjusted and optimized to produce the desired tubing. In some embodiments, tubing having a relatively uniform wall thickness is provided. In some embodiments, tubing can be extruded with one or more embedded stripes in the wall such that regions of weakness are defined which can enhance the peelability of certain compositions disclosed herein.
  • the extruded tubular form is then typically radially expanded (e.g., by mechanical means) to provide an expanded tubing material that can function as a heat shrink material (i.e., a material which, when heated, returns to its unexpanded form, and consequently “shrinks”).
  • the expansion can be either in-line with extrusion, or offline (i.e., conducted independently of the extrusion process). All means for radial expansion of tubing are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
  • the tubing is expanded radially by pressurizing the tubing from the inside out, introducing stress into the tube wall. This pressurizing can be conducted by any means capable of providing a differential pressure between the inside and outside of the tubing. Such differential pressure can be created by imposing a pressure above atmospheric pressure in the center of the tube, imposing a pressure below atmospheric pressure on the outside of the tube, or a combination of the two.
  • the tubing is expanded to an internal diameter of from about 1.05 times its original (unexpanded) diameter to about 10 times its original (unexpanded) diameter, such as from about 1.1 times its original (unexpanded) diameter to about 4 times its original (unexpanded) diameter.
  • the methods described for combining resins to form a multi-resin peelable heat shrink tubing as described above may lead to tubing exhibiting different properties.
  • multi-resin tubing prepared according to the blending method may exhibit somewhat different properties along the length of the tubing. At any given point on such tubing, the tubing may exhibit properties that are more representative of one of the polymeric resin input materials.
  • multi-resin tubing prepared according to the premix method typically displays more uniform properties along the length of the tube, wherein the properties at any point along the tubing are substantially similar.
  • the single-resin and multi-resin tubings described herein can be produced in a wide range of sizes, including both variance in length, variance in diameter (i.e., expanded ID), and variance in wall thickness.
  • the length of tubings described herein can vary from individually-sized units (e.g., in some embodiments, on the order of 1-150 cm for catheter manufacturing) to lengths that can readily be transported and further cut into individually-sized units to large-scale production lengths (e.g., on the order of meters and the like).
  • the diameters of tubings described herein can vary, in particular, depending upon the application for which the tubing is intended.
  • Certain expanded IDs of the tubings described herein, particularly for medical uses, can range from about 0.01 cm to about 3 cm (e.g., between about 0.02 cm and about 2 cm or between about 0.025 cm and about 1.5 cm), although tubings having expanded IDs outside this range are also encompassed by the present invention, particularly in the context of applications in different fields.
  • Tubing wall thicknesses can also vary. In certain exemplary embodiments, tubing wall thicknesses may vary from about 0.005 cm to about 0.5 cm, e.g., from about 0.01 cm to about 0.1 cm or from about 0.02 cm to about 0.05 cm. Again, these values relate to representative tubings, and tubings with wall thicknesses outside this range are also intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
  • the single-resin and multi-resin tubings provided according to the present invention can exhibit unique combinations of properties. As referenced above, certain tubings can exhibit heat shrink capability, longitudinal peelability, and translucency, as will be described in further detail below.
  • the tubing is capable of shrinking (decreasing in diameter) when subjected to heat.
  • Heat shrink materials are generally applied to an underlying material (e.g., a catheter construction, medical device component, etc.), and heated.
  • the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the tubing will decrease (resulting in a smaller inner diameter (ID) and a smaller outer diameter, OD, than that exhibited by the expanded tubing, referred to as the “recovered” ID and OD).
  • the tubing shrinks substantially only in diameter and not substantially in length (i.e., it shrinks in one plane only).
  • the ratio between the expanded ID and the recovered ID is referred to as the expansion ratio.
  • the expansion ratio is the expanded ID/recovered ID.
  • Typical expansion ratios for the types of tubing described herein range from about 1.1:1 to about 6:1, such as from about 1.15:1 to about 2:1, and preferably from about 1.3:1 to about 1.65:1.
  • tubing provided according to the present disclosure is peelable lengthwise/longitudinally without use of any score lines, perforations, indentations, or the like.
  • a small nick, cut, or tear may be made at one end of the tubing to facilitate peeling of the tubing longitudinally (e.g., by hand).
  • no such nick, cut, or tear is required, and the tubing can be readily peeled (e.g., by hand) by pulling apart two sides of the tubing, beginning at one end of tubing.
  • the tubing described herein may exhibit one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along a given length of the tubing.
  • the tubing provided herein can exhibit one or more of complete, straight, and even peeling along at least about 1 meter of tubing, at least about 10 meters of tubing, or at least about 100 meters of tubing.
  • the tubing is cut into individual lengths, such as into individual tubes (e.g., with lengths tailored to particular applications).
  • sizes both diameters and lengths
  • such tubes can be peeled completely and substantially evenly along their full lengths, as shown in FIG. 1 , where the tubing is peeled, e.g., from end A to end B of the tubing to give two substantially equal longitudinal “halves” of tubing.
  • tubings provided according to the present disclosure can be scored, cut, or nicked across the cross-section of the tubing diameter at one end, as shown in FIG. 2 (providing a small score line or nick of length “S,” e.g., about 1 ⁇ 2 inch or less in length). grasped (e.g., between the fingers or automated grips) and pulled/peeled without breaking or deviating from a substantially straight tear line for about 3 feet or more, or about 4 feet or more (including the entire length of the tubing, “L”).
  • the “peelability” or “tearability” can be achieved without any significant scoring or nicking.
  • the score or nick across the cross-section of the tubing diameter has a length S that is less than about 1/10 th the length L of the tubing to be peeled, less than about 1/25 th the length L of the tubing to be peeled, less than about 1/50 th the length L of the tubing to be peeled, or less than about 1/75 th the length L of the tubing to be peeled.
  • such values can allow for complete peeling of the entire length of tubing and the peeled halves of tubing can be substantially equal in size (i.e., the tubing exhibits complete, straight, and/or even peeling along the entire length of the tubing.
  • peel strength of the tubing materials described herein can vary. It is noted that preferred peel strengths vary with tubing diameter, with generally higher peel strengths preferred for larger diameters.
  • the tubings exhibit translucency through one wall of the tubings.
  • Translucency is understood to mean that light passes through the tubing wall but diffuses to some extent.
  • the tubings exhibit transparency through one wall of the tubing. Transparency is understood to mean that light passes through the tubing wall and does not diffuse to any significant extent.
  • the translucency and/or transparency of the tubing walls disclosed herein can be described by the total light % transmittance through the wall, the diffuse light % transmittance through the wall, and the haze %.
  • Total light % transmittance compares the intensity of the light entering a sample with the intensity of the light leaving the sample. If a sample absorbs no light, the intensity of light entering the sample is equal to the intensity of the light leaving the sample, i.e., total light % transmittance is 100%. By contrast, if a sample absorbs the light completely, the intensity of light leaving the sample is 0, i.e., transmittance is 0%.
  • Diffuse light % transmittance relates to the scattering of light entering the sample by comparing the intensity of light entering a sample at a given angle to the intensity of light leaving that sample at that same angle.
  • Haze % is the ratio of diffuse % transmittance to total % transmittance. If a sample allows all light to pass through with the angle unchanged, the diffuse light % transmittance is 0%, the haze is 0%, and the sample is considered transparent. If, however, a sample diffuses any portion of the light entering the sample, the diffuse light transmittance is greater than 0%, the haze is above 0%, and the sample is not transparent (but may still be translucent).
  • the total light transmittance of certain tubings provided herein is advantageously at least about 80%, at least about 85%, or at least about 90%.
  • the diffuse light transmittance is advantageously less than about 25%, less than about 20%, or less than about 15%.
  • tubings described herein can, in some embodiments, be described as exhibiting low haze through the tubing wall, e.g., being substantially free of haze.
  • the tubings exhibit haze of less than about 50%, less than about 40%, less than about 30%, or less than about 20%.
  • the tubings can be described as being substantially (e.g., completely) free of haze, e.g., having a haze of less than about 15%, including less than about 12% and at least about 10%.
  • the tubing may allow for users to readily see the underlying material when the heat shrink tubing is applied in use.
  • the tubing exhibits light transmission through the tubing wall of at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 98%, or at least about 99% of available light.
  • the tubing is not limited thereto and in certain embodiments, can be colored (e.g., via the incorporation of dyes or colorants) and/or somewhat less translucent and/or opaque.
  • the light transmittance values through the walls of the tubings disclosed herein are significant at all wavelengths within the visible range (i.e., about 400 nm to about 750 nm).
  • the total light % transmittance through the wall of a given tubing is at least about 25% across the full visible spectrum.
  • the total light % transmittance through the wall of a given tubing is at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50% across the full visible spectrum. All optical properties referenced herein relate to testing a single, flat tubing wall of substantially customary thickness for heat shrink tubes (e.g., having wall thicknesses as disclosed above).
  • translucence and/or transparency of the tubing can be promoted by selecting appropriate resins for combination.
  • the optical clarity of a tubing produced from a combination of polymeric resins can be affected by the refractive indices of the constituent resins.
  • constituent resins are selected having refractive indices that are similar (e.g., wherein all resins within a given multi-resin mixture have refractive indices within about 0.05 units or less, within about 0.04 units or less, within about 0.03 units or less, within about 0.02 units or less, or within about 0.01 units or less).
  • Refractive indices of various resins are known and selection of resins to provide an optically clear tubing can be made based on these values. For example, a combination of FEP (with a refractive index of 1.34) and THV (with a refractive index of 1.35) would be expected to provide a clearer tubing than a combination of FEP (with a refractive index of 1.34) with PVDV (having a refractive index of 1.42).
  • DSC differential scanning calorimetry
  • a phase transition such as melting
  • more or less heat is required to maintain the material at a constant temperature (depending on whether the phase transition is exothermic or endothermic) and this is shown as a peak (or valley) in the DSC trace.
  • the heat capacity of the material at melting can be calculated using the integrated area under the melting peak in the DSC trace.
  • DSC can be used, for example, to understand the relative crystallinity of materials, which can provide a better understanding of the translucency/transparency (optical clarity) and peelability, or potential for planned failure along a generally uniform axis or plane of the material.
  • tubings exhibiting good optical properties are provided, wherein the DSC traces indicate a dual melting peak and/or a broad melting peak.
  • Such traces exhibited by tubings indicate that the composition of the tubings are polymorphic in nature.
  • Dual melting peaks indicate that more than one distinct crystalline domain exists in the tubing material, as the only contributors to the melting process are crystalline domains.
  • DSC can also be used to understand the relative impact blending different polymers has on the crystallization kinetics and general molecular weight distribution of the material.
  • the longer the polymer chains the higher the melting temperature and the narrower the melting range or melt peak observed by DSC analysis.
  • the present invention relies, at least in part, on the onset of melting being significantly lower than that of the melting peak for the polymer of the resin of the single-resin tubings and significantly lower than that of the melting peak for any one or more of the polymers in the multi-resin tubings (e.g., the polymer having the lowest melting point of those present in the multi-resin tubing).
  • a broad melting range and an early onset of melting indicates the presence of low molecular weight material in the sample which, in some embodiments, can contribute to the desirable physical characteristics disclosed herein.
  • the breadth of the melting range can vary depending on the particular makeup of the tubing (i.e., the constituent resins or resins) and is indicative, e.g., of polymer blends with substantially different melting temperatures or polymer samples with a wide distribution of chain lengths.
  • a broad melting range may be indicative of suitable melt flow properties over a wide range of temperatures.
  • the onset of melting is significantly lower than the melting point of the constituent polymer in a single-resin material (e.g., at least about 10 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 20 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 30 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 40 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 50 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 60 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer).
  • a single-resin material e.g., at least about 10 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 20 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 30 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 40 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 50 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 60 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer.
  • the onset of melting is significantly lower than the melting point of the primary resin in a multi-resin material (e.g., at least about 10 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 20 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 30 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 40 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 50 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer, at least about 60 degrees less than the melting point of the polymer).
  • the onset of melting can, in some embodiments, be less than about 235° C. or less than about 230° C. Particularly, such an onset of melting is observed where data is collected at an increase of about 2° C. per minute (e.g., sweeping from 25° C. upwards, e.g., to 380° C.).
  • a broad melting range and/or two melting points can be achieved, e.g., by selection of a resin grade comprising lower melting species (e.g., oligomers).
  • the constituent resins can, in some embodiments, be selected such that a difference in the melting points of the resins provides a broad melting range in the final product (i.e., tubing).
  • a secondary resin can be selected so as to have a melting point significantly above or significantly below that of the main resin.
  • the at least two melting points are advantageously at least partially merged in the DSC trace (i.e., to provide a broad melting range).
  • substantially translucent or transparent and peelable tubings disclosed herein exhibit a broad melting range and/or dual melting points.
  • the melting range i.e., the range of temperatures at which the DSC trace deviates from the baseline
  • the tubing exhibits good optical clarity (e.g., haze transmittance of greater than 15%) and good peelability.
  • One or more distinct “peaks” can be present within this range and typically at least one peak, corresponding to the melting point of the sole polymeric resin in a single-component tubing or the melting point of the primary polymeric resin in a multi-component tubing is observed.
  • Crystallinity can be further evaluated by x-ray diffraction.
  • Percent crystallinity of a tubing material can be determined based on the relative intensities of amorphous and crystalline peaks in an x-ray diffraction pattern. In certain embodiments, lower crystallinity is desirable to provide a peelable material and/or a transparent or translucent material. For example, in some embodiments, the crystallinity of the tubing is less than about 40%, less than about 35%, or less than about 30%. Percent crystallinity can be determined based on the relative intensities of amorphous versus crystalline peaks of an x-ray diffraction pattern.
  • Such x-ray diffraction patterns exhibit a sharp peak representative of the crystalline material present in the sample (around 18 degrees, with other peaks appearing around 30 and 36 for FEP materials). Amorphous features are also generally observed in such x-ray diffraction patterns (one at the low angle of the primary crystalline peak and another around 40 degrees for FEP materials).
  • the percent crystallinity can be calculated based on the following formula:
  • I c is the intensity of the crystalline peak(s) and I a is the intensity of the amorphous peak(s).
  • the crystallinity of the material can, in some embodiments, affect the peelability and/or the translucence/transparency. For example, material with higher amorphous content has been observed to generally appear more transparent than material with lower amorphous content.
  • tubings exhibiting certain crystallinity values e.g., less than about 40% crystallinity as determined by x-ray diffraction
  • certain early melting onset values e.g., onset of less than about 230° C.
  • Tubings described herein advantageously can, in certain embodiments, exhibit high transverse tensile strengths, but are not limited thereto.
  • one or more additives can be incorporated within the tubing walls.
  • one or more additives can be included with the primary polymeric resin and secondary resin(s) and extruded with the mixture of resins (or with the single premix resin, in the case of the premix method).
  • the additives can be in solid form (e.g., granular, powder, or pellet form) or can be in another form (e.g., gel form or liquid form, such as in the form of a dispersion or solution).
  • the one or more additives can be distributed (e.g., substantially uniformly) throughout the thickness and length of the tubing.
  • polytetrafluoroethylene is incorporated within the tubing described herein by adding PTFE powder to the resin(s) prior to extrusion.
  • PTFE powder The type of PTFE powder that is incorporated in such embodiments can vary and may include conventional PTFE extrusion grade powder as well as PTFE granules, particles, and the like of various particle sizes.
  • the incorporation of PTFE powder within a given type of tubing may, in some embodiments, increase the peelability of that tubing.
  • the tubing is described as comprising a single composition; however, multi-composition tubing is also intended to be encompassed herein.
  • a multilayer tubing can, in certain embodiments, be provided by co-extruding two or more types of material.
  • Co-extruded tubing can comprise at least two layers, wherein one layer can be described as forming the inner diameter of the tubing and a second layer can be described as forming the outer diameter of the tubing.
  • the number of layers can vary and a multilayered tubing is typically 2, 3, 4, or 5 total layers.
  • one or more additives can be introduced in one layer of a multilayer tubing construction.
  • At least one such layer comprises a peelable heat-shrink tubing composition as described throughout the present specification.
  • the co-extruded tubing can further comprise a second peelable heat-shrink tubing composition.
  • the co-extruded tubing can further comprise an alternative type of composition (i.e., a composition that is not necessarily a peelable heat-shrink tubing composition as described herein).
  • a co-extruded tubing wherein the makeup of the two or more layers is substantially the same.
  • the composition of one layer differs from the composition of a second layer only in the molecular weights of one component of the compositions thereof (e.g., the inner layer comprises 90% by weight FEP of molecular weight A and 10% by weight ETFE and the outer layer comprises 90% by weight FEP of molecular weight B and 10% by weight ETFE).
  • the composition of one layer differs from the composition of a second layer only in the ratio of polymeric resins used to produce the tubing (e.g., FEP:ETFE in a 80:20 ratio on the interior diameter and FEP:ETFE in an 85:15 ratio on the exterior diameter of the tubing).
  • the layers are substantially different (e.g., having different compositions).
  • a two-layered tubing can be provided, wherein the inner layer comprises 90% by weight FEP and 10% by weight ETFE and the outer layer comprises 80% by weight FEP and 20% by weight PVDF.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for selecting a particular resin or resins (including at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer) to produce a tubing exhibiting certain desirable properties.
  • a particular resin or resins including at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer
  • the present disclosure provides a method for selecting a particular resin or resins (including at least one thermoplastic fluoropolymer) to produce a tubing exhibiting certain desirable properties.
  • one of skill in the art is provided with an understanding of the properties of component resins that can lead to the unexpected results outlined herein when such resin (or resins) are extruded into a tubing and subsequently converted into a heat shrinkable product.
  • a peelable heat shrink tubing exhibiting desirable optical properties (e.g., a tubing wherein the total light transmittance through the wall of tubing is about 90% or greater and wherein the diffuse light transmittance through the wall of the tubing is about 15% or less)
  • desirable optical properties e.g., a tubing wherein the total light transmittance through the wall of tubing is about 90% or greater and wherein the diffuse light transmittance through the wall of the tubing is about 15% or less
  • the present disclosure outlines certain considerations.
  • the refractive indices of the component resins as disclosed herein to ensure that they are within a limited range of each other (e.g., including but not limited to, within about 0.04).
  • crystallinity of the component resin or resins e.g., a limited range of each other
  • the properties disclosed herein are generally applicable to both the resins themselves and to the tubings produced therefrom.
  • the disclosure refers to desirable characteristics of the tubings (including, but not limited to, desirable RI value differences in multi-resin tubings, desirable crystallinities, and/or desirable melt onset values) and it is understood that to select appropriate resins to provide such characteristics in the tubings, these characteristics in the resins are comparable.
  • desirable tubing characteristics can be translated to the resins from which the tubings are produced.
  • one of skill in the art can base his or her property evaluation on the resin or resins to determine if, in resin form, the resin or resins exhibit such characteristics.
  • Tubings provided herein can be used for a range of applications. In particular applications, they can be applied to an underlying material (e.g., devices, device components, joints, fittings, wires, etc.), and heated to form a covering thereon. Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses materials or objects to which a tubing as disclosed herein has been applied.
  • a covered device e.g., medical device
  • Exemplary covered devices include, but are not limited to, medical devices (e.g., catheters) comprising any of the tubings disclosed herein applied thereto.
  • a peelable, heat shrink tubing with optical clarity is provided for use as a component, processing aid or other aspect of a tube assembly.
  • a tubing can be used where one or more sections of a tube assembly need to be re-flowed or fused, protected, covered, marked, or any use in which a traditional heat shrink may be used.
  • Translucent and, particularly, transparent tubings as disclosed herein can provide advantages of direct, clear visualization of the area being covered and can allow for continued clear visualization after the heat shrink has been recovered. The ability to clearly visualize the underlying structures so alignment, proper placement and the potential for defect identification without removal of the heat shrink is critical in many fields.
  • the presently disclosed tubings may be used as assembly aids or processing tools, such as where the material being covered with the heat shrink needs to be fused together.
  • the material being covered e.g., at the end of the material
  • the material being covered can be fused by applying the tubing to the material, identifying a temperature that is complementary to both the recovery or shrinking of the heat shrink tubing and the glassy or melt flow properties of the underlying material, and subjecting the assembly or materials to the elevated temperature to recover the heat shrink while softening the underlying material to a point of flow, whereby the material being covered may be thermally and/or mechanically bonded.
  • the heat shrink tubing can then be removed from the assembly, as disclosed herein (e.g., in one or more generally uniform sections).
  • the optical clarity and high direct light transmittance of certain tubings described herein allow this process to be carefully monitored for improvements and defect identification, as the underlying materials are visible through the tubing walls.
  • the materials being fused together in such embodiments may be very soft and of low durometer, making them very sensitive to damage. Therefore, a material that does not tear or peel at all or is difficult to remove increases the risk of damaging the underlying materials and potentially creating failures or defects.
  • the present disclosure further relates to methods of using the tubings provided herein.
  • Such methods generally comprise applying any of the tubings disclosed herein around at least a portion of a device comprising two or more components; heating the tubing to cause the tubing to shrink around the two or more components (and, in some embodiments, to cause at least one of the components to flow); cooling the shrunk tubing; and peeling the shrunk tubing from the device (with a degree of peelability as previously disclosed, e.g., to give two tubing halves of substantially equal size).
  • the method can further comprise, for example, nicking or cutting the tubing across the cross-sectional diameter at an end of the tubing (e.g., along “S” as shown in FIG. 2 ), wherein the length S of the score line, cut, or nick is less than the length L of the tubing (including significantly less, as described in further detail above).

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US14/732,372 US20150352319A1 (en) 2014-06-06 2015-06-05 Peelable heat-shrinking tubing
US14/753,115 US9440044B2 (en) 2014-06-06 2015-06-29 Peelable heat-shrink tubing
US15/242,677 US9901661B2 (en) 2014-06-06 2016-08-22 Peelable heat-shrink tubing
US15/866,500 US10434222B2 (en) 2014-06-06 2018-01-10 Peelable heat-shrink tubing
US18/417,338 US20240173461A1 (en) 2014-06-06 2024-01-19 Peelable heat-shrink tubing

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US15/242,677 Active US9901661B2 (en) 2014-06-06 2016-08-22 Peelable heat-shrink tubing
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