Appeal No. 2002-1487 Page 6
Application No. 09/404,461
the external diameter of the inner spiral 60 such that the inner spiral 60 is slidably
disposed within and in close proximity to the middle spiral 64. An outer spiral 72 of flat
stainless steel strip is oppositely wound relative the middle spiral 64 such that the outer
spiral 72 is disposed opposite or angularly relative to the middle spiral 64. The angle of
the outer spiral 72 may be approximately the same as the angle of the inner spiral 60.
The outer spiral 72 defines a third channel 76 shown in Figure. 8 such that the third
channel 76 has a slightly greater diameter than the external diameter of the middle
spiral 64. The middle spiral 64 is slidably disposed within and in close proximity to the
outer spiral 72. The three spirals, 60, 64 and 72 are of such diameters that sliding
contact, with a minimum of radial clearance, exists between adjacent spiral surfaces.
As further shown in Figure 7 of Trott, a first spot-weld 78 is disposed near one
end of the composite spirally wound tube 58. The spot-weld 78 unites together all three
of the spirals 60, 64 and 72. A second spot-weld 80 is spaced longitudinally relative to
the first spot-weld 78 and welds together the inner, middle and outer spirals 60, 64 and
72 respectively. The spot welding holds and supports the three spirals axially relative to
each other to form the spirally wound tube 58 to permit transmission of rotary
movement from a source of rotary motion such as a motor connected to the inner
proximal end portion 44 through a coupling generally designated 81 to convey tissue
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