Patent · US Expired

Laser bonding of angioplasty balloon catheters

US5267959A · kind A · utility

78Cited by
13References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 1991
Grant dateDec 7, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB29L2031/7543
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A balloon catheter which is assembled by a process of selectively concentrating laser energy along an annular fusion bond site at contiguous surface portions of a length of catheter tubing and a shaft or neck portion of a dilatation balloon. The laser energy wavelength, and the polymeric materials of the balloon and catheter, are matched for high absorption of the laser energy to minimize conductive heat transfer in axial directions away from the bond site. This minimizes crystallization and stiffening in regions near the bond site, permitting fusion bonds to be located close to the proximal and distal cones of the dilatation balloon while preserving the soft, pliant quality of the cones.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.