Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for an electrode balloon

US6091993A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
11References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 1998
Grant dateJul 18, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2218/002
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flexible support for a thin electrically conductive electrode has an edge around its major surfaces. One or more circumferential frames on the support capture the edge of the electrode. An under cut on the frame holds the edge. A membrane is integral with the one or more frames to extend and be coextensive with each. The membrane is thin to allow expansion in deference to each frame. The support is a flexible polymer one with a percent of elongation in the range of 500% to 1500%. The one or more frames and the membrane form a balloon with interior and exterior surfaces with an inflation port therethrough. The under cut on each frame is disposed to substantially enclose the edge on the exterior surface. The membrane expands upon inflation of the balloon. Each frame has a window opening to a recess peripherally surrounded by the under cut and a wall therein to abut the edge. The window opening is shaped as the major surface of the electrode while sized slightly smaller to define the under cut. The flexible polymer is an elastomeric material with a high dielectric with a temperature resistance of at 0 least 100 degrees centigrade. Adhesive bonds one major surface in the frame. The m…

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