Apparatus for extruding polymers employing microwave energy
US7458798B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB29L2031/7542
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method 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. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product. A cooling bath mechanism, which in one embodiment can also include a cooling tube member having a cooling medium forced therethrough, is also disclosed. An apparatus for preparing polymer disk members, to use as the polymer feedstock material for the microwave extrusion appar…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.