The present invention protects a distal portion of a catheter during shipment and storage. The lapping apparatus comprises a rotary-lapping table having an abrasive surface, and a lapping device assembly provided so as to be movable with respect to the abrasive surface of the lapping table. Packet-based calls are transmitted over an IP network, and translated to standard PSTN call signals when necessary. In order to improve the service life of the split line weld seam, film cooling of the weld seam is routed by an indentation. The use of such a boron nitride powder provides a cosmetic significantly improved not only in gloss finish and transparency but also in sustainability. The time delay necessary to adjust the directional characteristics is carried out at the down-sampled signal.