A hose body is formed, or provided, to a predetermined length and so as to be continuous and contiguous. Articulation means are formed about and in close proximity to the hose body. This is accomplished by forming a wire helix about the hose body so as to either have a different number of turns per unit length of hose for first, second and third portions of the hose body, or by utilizing multiple strands of wire of different thickness for some portions of the helix and not for others, or by forming single helixes for some hose portions and double helixes for others; or by combinations of the above. The hose portions thus provided with articulation means have a different relative degree of articulation with respect to each other. As such they not only resist being articulated with different degrees but they also resist being straightened or straightening on their own with different degrees.
A flexible catheter comprises at least one resilient, flexible, tubular layer in telescoping relation with, and bonded to, a tubular wire sheath. A first catheter section includes the wire strands at a first angle to each other. A second catheter section includes the wire strands at a second angle to each other, with the second angle being different from the first angle so that the physical characteristics of the first and second catheter sections are different.
In a flexible line pipe comprising an inner corrugated metal tube (4), an outer corrugated metal tube (5) located at some distance from the inner tube (4) and a spacer as well as an insulation material between the inner and the outer metal tubes, whereby a pressure that is less than atmospheric pressure prevails in the ring-shaped gap (6) between the tubes, the spacer comprises two cords (7, 8) made of fiber-reinforced plastic applied to the inner tube (4) and wrapped in opposite directions. The insulation material (9) is a fleece material, and the pressure in the ring-shaped gap is between 10.sup.-3 and 10.sup.-1 mbar.
An intravascular catheter carries a helical reinforcement member embedded within at least a portion of the tubular wall of the catheter. The helical reinforcement member comprises a helical first portion having coils of greater pitch than the pitch of helical coils of a second portion. Preferably, the catheter is for insertion into brain arteries, and comprises a flexible tube having an outer diameter of no more that about 0.05 inch, for example 3 French or smaller. The flexible tube defines outer and inner tubular layers. The inner tubular layer surrounds a catheter lumen and comprises chemically inert fluorinated polymer such as PTFE. The outer tubular layer comprises at least three longitudinally spaced, connected tubular sections. The sections are of successively increasing flexibility from the proximal toward the distal catheter end. Also, manufacturing methods are disclosed pertaining to increasing the flexibility of a section of the catheter and joining together in abutting relation a pair of dissimilar catheter reinforcement members.
An intravascular catheter carries a helical reinforcement member embedded within at least a portion of the tubular wall of the catheter. The helical reinforcement member comprises a helical first portion having coils of greater pitch than the pitch of helical coils of a second portion. Preferably, the catheter is for insertion into brain arteries, and comprises a flexible tube having an outer diameter of no more that about 0.05 inch, for example 3 French or smaller. The flexible tube defines outer and inner tubular layers. The inner tubular layer surrounds a catheter lumen and comprises a chemically inert fluorinated polymer such as PTFE. The outer tubular layer comprises at least three longitudinally spaced, connected tubular sections. The sections are of successively increasing flexibility from the proximal toward the distal catheter end. Also, manufacturing methods are disclosed pertaining to increasing the flexibility of a section of the catheter and joining together in abutting relation a pair of dissimilar catheter reinforcement members.
A flexible pipe for subsea installation has a fluid impervious tube surrounded by a structure pipe. The structure pipe is a cylindrical monolithic member. It has at least two rows of slots extending along the length of the wall. The slots are evenly spaced apart, parallel and located on a helix. Each of the slots are in a row, which is also located on a helix, but extending in a different direction from the slot helix. Solid bands extend between the rows of slots. Arc members are located between each of the slots, the arc members joining the bands. The structure pipe surrounds a fluid impervious tube which is corrugated and metallic.
