US5163989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming a balloon mold and the use of such mold
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-27
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2010-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A mold and method for forming a balloon for dilatation catheters, particularly balloons with a prismlike shape with a transverse polygonal cross section when the internal pressure is at atmospheric conditions. Upon inflation to higher internal pressures, the balloon assumes a normal circular cross section. The balloon shape is particularly suitable for balloons formed of polyethylene terephthalate and the like which are not readily heat settable. Reduced deflated profiles are obtained. The mold is formed by first making a preformed core member which has the shape and dimensions which are desired for the balloon. A heat-formable tubular member, preferably formed of borosilicate glass such as PYREX, is disposed about the core member, subjected to heat and an internal vacuum so as to be shaped onto the exterior of the core member. Once shaped, the tubular member is allowed to cool and set, the core member is dissolved away, leaving the shaped glass mold having an internal molding chamber with the desired shape and dimensions for the inflatable balloon.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter F. Campbell
- 👤 Timothy J. Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1029; A61M25/1038; C; C03; C03B; C03B23/00; C03B23/04; C03B23/07; C03B23/073; C03B23/076; A61M25/1002; A61M2025/1004; B; B29; B29K; B29K2067/00; B29K2909/00; B29K2909/08; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of making a mold for forming small diameter inflatable members comprising: a) forming a core member having a shape and dimensions which correspond to the shape and dimensions of inflatable members to be molded and having an inner passageway extending therein which is in fluid communication with an opening at an end of the core member; b) inserting an end of an elongated holding member into the opening in an end of the core member; c) disposing the core member with the elongated holding member inserted within an end thereof within the interior of a heat-formable tubular member having proximal and distal ends; d) forming a mold by heating the heat-formable tubular member while applying a vacuum to the interior thereof to cause the heat-formable tubular member to be shaped about the core member and take the shape and dimensions of the exterior of the core member; and e) passing a solution through the inner passageway of the core member to thereby dissolve the core member to remove the core member from the interior of the mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of making a mold for forming small diameter inflatable members comprising: a) forming a core member having a shape and dimensions which correspond to the shape and dimensions of inflatable members to be molded and having an inner passageway extending therein which is in fluid communication with an opening at an end of the core member; b) inserting an end of an elongated holding member into the opening in an end of the core member; c) disposing the core member with the elongated holding member inserted within an end thereof within the interior of a heat-formable tubular member having proximal and distal ends; d) forming a mold by heating the heat-formable tubular member while applying a vacuum to the interior thereof to cause the heat-formable tubular member to be shaped about the core member and take the shape and dimensions of the exterior of the core member; and e) passing a solution through the inner passageway of the core member to thereby dissolve the core member to remove the core member from the interior of the mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heat-formable tubular member is made from heat formable glass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the glass ia borosilicate glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inner passageway of the core member passes through the entire length of the core member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein core member is made from stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the solution for dissolving the core member is an acidic aqueous solution containing iron chloride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the pH of the aqueous solution ranges from about 1 to about 2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the holding members are removed from the mold after the core member is dissolved.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
268 words
A method of forming a small diameter inflatable member comprising: a) forming a mold having an inner molding chamber with a continuous molding surface therein having the shape and dimensions of the desired inflatable member by the steps of, forming a core member having a shape and dimensions which correspond to the shape and dimensions of inflatable members to be molded and having an inner passageway extending therein which is in fluid communication with an opening at an end of the core member, inserting an end of an elongated holding member into the opening in an end of the core member, disposing the core member with the elongated holding member inserted within an end thereof within the interior of a heat-formable tubular member having proximal and distal ends forming a mold by heating the heat-formable tubular member while applying a vacuum to the interior thereof to cause the heat-formable tubular member to be shaped about the core member and take the shape and dimensions of the exterior of the core member, and passing a solution through the inner passageway of the core member to thereby dissolve the core member to remove the core member from the interior of the mold; b) inserting a tubular plastic member within the molding chamber; c) subjecting the plastic tubular member to internal fluid pressure and heat so that the tubular plastic member inflates within the molding chamber, engages the continuous molding surface of the molding chamber and thereby takes on the shape and dimensions thereof; and d) cooling the shaped plastic tubular member to retain the desired shape of the balloon therein.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
268 words
A method of forming a small diameter inflatable member comprising: a) forming a mold having an inner molding chamber with a continuous molding surface therein having the shape and dimensions of the desired inflatable member by the steps of, forming a core member having a shape and dimensions which correspond to the shape and dimensions of inflatable members to be molded and having an inner passageway extending therein which is in fluid communication with an opening at an end of the core member, inserting an end of an elongated holding member into the opening in an end of the core member, disposing the core member with the elongated holding member inserted within an end thereof within the interior of a heat-formable tubular member having proximal and distal ends forming a mold by heating the heat-formable tubular member while applying a vacuum to the interior thereof to cause the heat-formable tubular member to be shaped about the core member and take the shape and dimensions of the exterior of the core member, and passing a solution through the inner passageway of the core member to thereby dissolve the core member to remove the core member from the interior of the mold; b) inserting a tubular plastic member within the molding chamber; c) subjecting the plastic tubular member to internal fluid pressure and heat so that the tubular plastic member inflates within the molding chamber, engages the continuous molding surface of the molding chamber and thereby takes on the shape and dimensions thereof; and d) cooling the shaped plastic tubular member to retain the desired shape of the balloon therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |