Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of making an intravascular catheter system for implanting a radially expandable stent within a body vessel comprising: providing a catheter having a shaft defining an inflation lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, an inflatable balloon having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon proximal end being sealingly affixed to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon being a fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having an outer diameter and a wall thickness, the balloon having a surface layer over an underlying layer, the surface layer having a lower melt temperature than the underlying layer such that heating the surface layer will not damage the underlying layer; providing a stent, the stent having a thickness and being formed of a helically wound wire having longitudinally movable elements, the wire being wound into a zig-zag pattern; and mounting the stent coaxially upon the outer diameter of the balloon, a portion of the stent thickness being recessed into the balloon by heating the stent to form areas sized to receive the helically wound wire and defined by a permanent first and second ridge deformation in the outer diameter of the balloon in the outline of the stent for receiving the portion of the stent thickness so as to reduce stent slippage or snagging and to cause the balloon to expand evenly and the stent to deploy uniformly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A method of making an intravascular catheter system for implanting a radially expandable stent within a body vessel comprising: providing a catheter having a shaft defining an inflation lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, an inflatable balloon having a proximal end and a distal end, the balloon proximal end being sealingly affixed to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon being a fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having an outer diameter and a wall thickness, the balloon having a surface layer over an underlying layer, the surface layer having a lower melt temperature than the underlying layer such that heating the surface layer will not damage the underlying layer; providing a stent, the stent having a thickness and being formed of a helically wound wire having longitudinally movable elements, the wire being wound into a zig-zag pattern; and mounting the stent coaxially upon the outer diameter of the balloon, a portion of the stent thickness being recessed into the balloon by heating the stent to form areas sized to receive the helically wound wire and defined by a permanent first and second ridge deformation in the outer diameter of the balloon in the outline of the stent for receiving the portion of the stent thickness so as to reduce stent slippage or snagging and to cause the balloon to expand evenly and the stent to deploy uniformly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein a temperature of 76 degrees C. is applied to the stent for one-and-one-half minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the ridges formed are less than 50 percent of the balloon wall thickness.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the ridges are impressed into the surface layer, the surface layer having a sufficient coefficient of friction against the stent so as to reduce stent slippage and cause the balloon to expand evenly and the stent to deploy uniformly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the stent material is tantalum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein the surface layer is provided of a material consisting of an elastomeric polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 4 including a step wherein the surface layer is coated upon the balloon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of manufacture according to claim 4 including a step wherein the surface layer is coaxially extruded.