EP0592885A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distensible dilatation balloon with elastic stress response and manufacture thereof
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
•
Filing: 1993-09-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2013-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Balloons and balloon catheters with a superior overall combination of distensibility, elastic stress response and strength. The improved properties of the balloons result from the method or process used to form the balloons, as well as the polymeric materials used in said balloon forming process. Additionally, the enhanced combination of properties of the balloons will not be adversely affected by the novel sterilization process contemplated by this invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Jere A. Anderson
- 👤 Louis J. Jandris
- 👤 Michael D. Barbere
- 👤 Richard T. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1027; A61M25/1029; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; A61L2/206; A61L29/00; A61L29/04; A61L29/06; A61L2103/00; A61L2103/15; A61M2025/0019; B; B29; B29C; B29C49/00; B29C49/42; B29C49/46; B29C2049/4602; B29C2049/4605; B29C2049/4608; B29C49/78; B29C49/783; B29C2049/7831; B29L; B29L2022/00; B29L2022/02; B29L2022/022; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A balloon-making process comprising: a . providing a parison of a block copolymer having regions of inter-molecular chain interaction separated by regions in which those individual portions of the polymer chains have the ability to uncoil, said parison having a predetermined original outer diameter, a predetermined wall thickness and a predetermined length; b . subjecting said, parison to at least one axial stretch step and at least one radial expansion step at temperature T₁ which is below the melting temperature of said block copolymer to increase the diameter and length of said parison to at least 3 times the original diameter and 2 times the original length and to decrease the original wall thickness to at least 20% of the original wall thickness to form an expanded parison; and c . heating said expanded parison to a temperature of T₂ which is above T₁ but below the melting temperature of said block copolymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said radial expansion step is conducted while said parison is simultaneously subjected to said axial stretch step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein said axial stretch and radial expansion steps are conducted at temperature T₁ which is greater than the glass transition temperature of said block copolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein T₁ is about 90-100°C and T₂ is about 110-120°C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A balloon for a balloon catheter wherein said balloon is obtainable by use of the process of claim 1 and has a distensibility of about 5 to about 20%, an elastic stress response not greater than 5.00, and a wall tensile strength greater than about 14,000 psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A balloon according to claim 5 wherein said balloon has distensibility of about 6 to about 17%, an elastic stress response of about .75 to about 4.00 and a wall tensile strength of about 16,000 to about 30,000 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A balloon according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said block copolymer is a polyurethane having a Shore Hardness of about 74D, a specific gravity of about 1.21, a tensile modulus of about 165,000 psi, a flexural modulus of about 190,000 psi, an ultimate tensile strength of about 6,980 psi and an ultimate elongation of about 250%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A balloon catheter comprising a balloon as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, or made by a process according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for sterilizing balloons and balloon catheters comprising: a. subjecting said balloons and balloon catheters to a temperature of about 35 to about 45°C and a relative humidity of about 55% for about 15 hours; b. treating said balloons and balloon catheters at a temperature of about 35 to about 45°C and a relative humidity of about 55% with ethylene oxide for about 15 hours; and c. discontinuing treatment with ethylene oxide and subjecting said balloons and balloon catheters to a temperature of about 35 to about 45°C for about 22 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The use of a process according to claim 1 to improve an overall combination in the balloon of distensibility, elastic stress response and wall tensile strength, the balloon being for use in a balloon catheter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A balloon as claimed in claim 5, or made by a process according to claim 1 wherein said block copolymer is selected from the group consisting of polyester block copolymers, polyamide block copolymers, polyurethane block copolymers, a mixture of nylon and polyamide block copolymers, and a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polyester block copolymers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.