Perfusion catheter and striped extrusion method of manufacture

Claim 1

A method of forming a perfusion dilation catheter for use in medical procedures comprising the steps of: providing an extrusion outlet die having a first outlet portion having a first outlet portion opening and a second outlet portion having a second outlet portion opening positioned adjacent said first outlet portion opening; supplying a first polymer to said first outlet portion; supplying a second polymer to said second outlet portion, said first polymer being relatively elastic and said second polymer being relatively inelastic; simultaneously extruding said first polymer through said first outlet portion opening and said second polymer through said second outlet portion opening to provide a co-extrusion for forming a balloon of a dilation catheter for use in medical procedures, said dilation catheter balloon having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first polymer of said co-extrusion defines an extensible portion of said dilation catheter balloon and has an exterior surface and the second polymer of said co-extrusion defines a generally non-extensible portion of said dilation catheter balloon, said generally non-extensible portion being positioned in contact with said extensible portion at a location within said exterior surface of said extensible portion and not projecting beyond said exterior surface when said balloon is in a collapsed condition; connecting said balloon in seal-tight communication to a flexible elongated tubular member at the distal and proximal ends of said balloon such that said dilation catheter balloon is disposed on said tubular member, said balloon being extensible between said collapsed condition of a size allowing said balloon to be transported through a body vessel and an expanded condition of a size allowing a portion of said exterior surface of said extensible portion of said exterior surface of said extensible portion to engage a body vessel wall, said extensible portion of said balloon being a substantially compliant portion and said generally non-extensible portion being a longitudinally extending substantially non-compliant portion, said non-compliant portion defining a longitudinally extending perfusion channel spaced radially inwardly from said compliant portion when said balloon is in its expanded condition; and providing a passageway for passing fluid between said tubular member and said balloon to vary said balloon between its collapsed and expanded conditions.

Claim 2

A method of forming a perfusion dilation catheter for use in medical procedures comprising the steps of: providing an extrusion outlet die having a first outlet portion having a first outlet portion opening and a second outlet portion having a second outlet portion opening positioned adjacent said first outlet portion opening; supplying a first polymer to said first outlet portion; supplying a second polymer to said second outlet portion, said first polymer being relatively elastic and said second polymer being relatively inelastic; simultaneously extruding said first polymer through said first outlet portion opening and said second polymer through said second outlet portion opening to provide a co-extrusion for forming a balloon of a dilation catheter for use in medical procedures, said dilation catheter balloon having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first polymer of said co-extrusion defines an extensible portion of said dilation catheter balloon and has an exterior surface and the second polymer of said co-extrusion defines a generally non-extensible portion of said dilation catheter balloon, said generally non-extensible portion being positioned in contact with said extensible portion at a location within said exterior surface of said extensible portion and not projecting beyond said exterior surface when said balloon is in a collapsed condition; connecting said balloon in seal-tight communication to a flexible elongated tubular member at the distal and proximal ends of said balloon such that said dilation catheter balloon is disposed on said tubular member, said balloon being extensible between said collapsed condition of a size allowing said balloon to be transported through a body vessel and an expanded condition of a size allowing a portion of said exterior surface of said extensible portion of said exterior surface of said extensible portion to engage a body vessel wall, said extensible portion of said balloon being a substantially compliant portion and said generally non-extensible portion being a longitudinally extending substantially non-compliant portion, said non-compliant portion defining a longitudinally extending perfusion channel spaced radially inwardly from said compliant portion when said balloon is in its expanded condition; and providing a passageway for passing fluid between said tubular member and said balloon to vary said balloon between its collapsed and expanded conditions.