Thin-wall polytetrafluoroethylene tube
 A thin-wall PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tube in the form of a tube of porous expanded PTFE film wherein the porous PTFE film has a microstructure containing a multiplicity of fibrils oriented substantially parallel to each other. The tube has a wall thickness of less than about 0.25 mm and is made from at least one first layer and at least one second layer of porous PTFE film, wherein the fibrils of the first and second layers are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Preferably the fibrils of the at least one first layer are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the fibrils of the at least one second layer of porous PTFE film are oriented substantially circumferential to the tube. The first and second layers may be inner and outer layers respectively, or alternatively their relationship may be reversed. Alternatively, either of the first and second film layers may be replaced with alternative reinforcing components such as a braid or at least one reinforcing rib. 
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
A A B A B Y A F Y A B Y Y Y Y Y B Y B Y A A B B A B A B B Y Y Y
A61L A61L B29K A61F B29C Y10T A61F F16L Y10T A61F B29L Y10T Y10T Y10T Y10T Y10T B29K Y10T B29C Y10T A61L A61B B29K B29L A61L B29C A61F B29C B29C Y10T Y10T Y10T
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James D. Donald G. M. David J. Carey V.
Lewis Goffena Myers Campbell