Method of molding balloon catheters employing microwave energy
US6979420B2 · kind B2 · utility
111Cited by
38References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/7542
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.