US 12,458,212 B2
Method for molding thin-walled spiral tube for use with endoscope
Robert E. Ailinger, Norwood, MA (US); David Gately, Maynard, MA (US); and Matthew S. Carlone, Marlborough, MA (US)
Assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by OLYMPUS CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/948,587.
Application 17/948,587 is a division of application No. 16/367,522, filed on Mar. 28, 2019, granted, now 11,478,127.
Prior Publication US 2023/0020705 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61M 25/00 (2006.01); B29C 45/26 (2006.01); A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); F16L 11/11 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/0016 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00071 (2013.01); A61B 1/0011 (2013.01); A61B 1/00147 (2013.01); A61B 1/00148 (2022.02); A61M 25/0012 (2013.01); A61M 25/0021 (2013.01); B29C 45/2612 (2013.01); A61B 1/00131 (2013.01); A61B 1/005 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); F16L 11/11 (2013.01); F16L 11/111 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of molding a polymeric device having an elongated hollow tube and a spiral fin, the method comprising:
injecting a liquid resin into a mold space defining the polymeric device, the mold space having an elongated hollow tube molding space for forming the elongated hollow tube and a spiral fin molding space wound around the elongated hollow tube molding space for integrally forming the spiral fin with the elongated hollow tube; and
providing a longitudinal flow channel molding space path in at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the elongated hollow tube molding space, the longitudinal flow channel molding space defining a concavity greater in depth than other portions of the elongated hollow tube molding space, other than the spiral fin, such that the liquid resin injected into the mold space flows in the longitudinal flow channel molding space to fill one or more ends of the elongated hollow tube molding space.