| abstract |
The present invention provides a length of trilayer, extruded, medicalntubing (10) comprising an outer layer (16), a core layer (12), and an intermediate tienlayer (14). The outer layer (16) comprises a polymer that is directly bondable, whilenthe core layer (12) comprises a lubricious polymer. The core layer (12) thus defines anlumen (15) that exhibits the desired characteristics, i.e., low friction for thenadvancement of a guidewire or catheter through the lumen without comprising thenstrength and stiffness that is desirable in tubing that is to be used in medical devices.nAdditionally, the tubing (10) is easily coextruded and yet, is not subject tondelamination, thus providing the added advantage of providing a reduction in thenoverall cost of manufacture. |