US5344401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter balloon formed from a polymeric composite
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1993-05-12
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Granted: 1994-09-06
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Expires: 2013-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A catheter balloon is provided for medical dilation procedures which is formed from a polymeric composite having an enhanced integrity. The balloon comprises an expandable central body and two tapered termini positioned at opposing ends of the body which are formed from a structural layer of continuous polymeric materials characterized as biaxially oriented in the body, but not in the tapered termini. A layer of an imide-containing polymer is provided external to the structural layer of the tapered termini to coat the termini and strengthen or otherwise enhance the integrity of the termini not having a biaxial orientation. The imide-containing polymer coating may further be continuously extended to the body of the balloon. The imide-containing polymer is applied to the structural layer of the balloon, in a liquid state and heat cured over time to produce a high-integrity coating.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert R. Radisch
- 👤 Dennis M. Vigil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1029; A61M2025/1031; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: providing a catheter balloon made from a first polymer, said balloon having a first region of relatively high tensile strength where said first polymer is biaxially oriented, and having a second region of relatively low tensile strength where said first polymer is not biaxally oriented; applying a liquid coating of a second polymer to a surface of only said second region, said second polymer having a relatively high tensile strength; and raising said balloon and said coating to a sufficiently high temperature to form a high tensile strength composite of said first and second polymers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: providing a catheter balloon made from a first polymer, said balloon having a first region of relatively high tensile strength where said first polymer is biaxially oriented, and having a second region of relatively low tensile strength where said first polymer is not biaxally oriented; applying a liquid coating of a second polymer to a surface of only said second region, said second polymer having a relatively high tensile strength; and raising said balloon and said coating to a sufficiently high temperature to form a high tensile strength composite of said first and second polymers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said second region has an inner surface and an outer surface; and said step of applying said coating comprises the substeps of applying said coating to both inner and outer surfaces of said second region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second region comprises a tapered end region of said balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said first polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET, PETG, and mixtures thereof; and said second polymer is applied to said surface in the absence of any bond enhancing treatment of said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for strengthening a portion of a catheter balloon, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and imide-containing polymers; and said high tensile strength of said second polymer is preserved by applying said second polymer in the form of a solution comprising said second polymer and a solvent, in the absence of a lubricant.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for strengthening the tapered ends of a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: selecting a first polymer from the group consisting of PET, PETG, and mixtures thereof; providing a catheter balloon made from said first polymer, said balloon having a body of relatively high tensile strength where said first polymer is biaxially oriented, and having tapered ends of relatively low tensile strength where said first polymer is not biaxally oriented; providing a second polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and imide-containing polymers, said second polymer being free of added lubricant; applying a liquid coating of said second polymer to selected surfaces of only said tapered ends, in the absence of any bond enhancing treatment of said selected surfaces; and raising said balloon and said coating to a sufficiently high temperature to form a high tensile strength composite of said first and second polymers at said tapered ends.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for strengthening the tapered ends of a catheter balloon, comprising the steps of: selecting a first polymer from the group consisting of PET, PETG, and mixtures thereof; providing a catheter balloon made from said first polymer, said balloon having a body of relatively high tensile strength where said first polymer is biaxially oriented, and having tapered ends of relatively low tensile strength where said first polymer is not biaxally oriented; providing a second polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and imide-containing polymers, said second polymer being free of added lubricant; applying a liquid coating of said second polymer to selected surfaces of only said tapered ends, in the absence of any bond enhancing treatment of said selected surfaces; and raising said balloon and said coating to a sufficiently high temperature to form a high tensile strength composite of said first and second polymers at said tapered ends.
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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) | 1997-09-05 | 1998-03-07 | 1998-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-05 | 2002-03-07 | 2002-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-05 | 2006-03-07 | 2006-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |