Protective sheath for catheter balloons
US5873880A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1081
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(75%) and methyl acrylate (25%). The heat shrinkable sheath has an inner lumen with minimum dimensions large enough to facilitate the advancement of the sheath over the exterior of a dilatation balloon without the need for a great deal of manual manipulation by the physician or other operator prior to heat shrinking.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.