Process for forming medical device balloons

US7708928B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thomas J. Holman · Minneapolis, US
• Nam H. Hoang · Minneapolis, US
• Jeffrey S. Lindquist · Maple Grove, US
• Richard Dunn · Brooklyn Park, US
• Scott Schewe · Eden Prairie, US
• Kevin Silberg · Big Lake, US
• David Parsons · Simpsonville, US
• Ken Zhang · Maple Grove, US
• Afsar Ali · Maple Grove, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2008
• Grant date: May 4, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 16, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/7542
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.