Balloon assemblies having controllably variable topographies

US10881426B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• W.L. Gore & Associates GmbH · DE

Inventors

• John E. Bacino · Landenberg, US
• Carey V. Campbell · Flagstaff, US
• Edward H. Cully · Flagstaff, US
• Jeffrey B. Duncan · Flagstaff, US
• Douglas S. Paget · Flagstaff, US
• John M. Squeri · Downingtown, US
• Benjamin M. Trapp · Flagstaff, US
• Michael J. Vonesh · Northbrook, US
• Edward E. Shaw · Flagstaff, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 10, 2017
• Grant date: Jan 5, 2021
• Expiry date: Dec 26, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49888
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a device comprising a balloon assembly including a balloon, a film template, and a rigid element. The film template may have a fixed upper distension limit and may include at least one aperture. The rigid element may lay substantially flush with an outer surface of the balloon at a first inflated state of the balloon. The first upper distension limit of the balloon may be greater than the fixed upper distension limit of the film template and the balloon may outwardly protrude through the at least one aperture at a second inflated state. The rigid element may be extended in a radial direction away from the outer surface of the balloon as the balloon outwardly protrudes through the at least one aperture relative to the outer surface of the film template.