Patent · US Active

Thin-walled optical obturator

US7794644B2 · kind B2 · utility

43Cited by
21References
55Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 2006
Grant dateSep 14, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 4, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/753
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a thin-wall, single-piece optical obturator having an integral tip and shaft. The invention includes providing an injection mold defining a mold cavity having a core pin positioned within the mold cavity. The mold includes at least one gate and multiple core support pins between the core pin and the mold cavity walls, with at least one primary core support pin positioned on a side opposite the at least one gate. The method also includes injecting a transparent molten polymeric material having high flow properties into the injection mold such that the polymeric material flows between the surface of the mold cavity and the core pin. The core support pins substantially prevent the core pin from shifting while the polymeric material is injected into the mold. The high-flow nature of the polymeric material allows for complete filling of the mold cavity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.