# US 12,728,241 B2 · Apparatus for forming balloon layer and related methods

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- Number: US 12,728,241 B2
- Document ID: US12728241B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/948,102
- Filed: 2024-11-14
- Published: 2025-02-27
- Granted: 2026-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-03-10
- Assignees: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
- Applicants: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
- Inventors: Clint Solomon; Adriana Alvarado-Salazar; Melissa Boyle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12728241B2

## CPC

- A61M 25/1029: {Production methods of the balloon members, e.g. blow-moulding, extruding, deposition or by wrapping a plurality of layers of balloon material around a mandril}
- A61M 2025/1031: {Surface processing of balloon members, e.g. coating or deposition; Mounting additional parts onto the balloon member's surface}
- A61M 2025/1075: {having a balloon composed of several layers, e.g. by coating or embedding}
- A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

An apparatus is for forming a balloon layer, such as on an expanded base balloon. The apparatus includes a mandrel supporting the expanded base balloon. At least one gripper is provided for gripping the balloon layer, and an actuator is for stretching the balloon layer over the expanded base balloon, such as by moving the at least one gripper. Related methods for forming a balloon layer are also disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for forming a balloon layer on an expanded base balloon, comprising:
holding a first portion of the balloon layer over the expanded base balloon with a holder; and
gripping the balloon layer with a gripper; and
moving the gripper in a first direction to stretch the tubular balloon layer over the expanded base balloon.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including the step of applying heat to the tubular balloon layer after the stretching step.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further including the step of rotating the base balloon during the applying step.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the step of applying heat comprises contacting a portion of the tubular balloon layer with a heated die.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including the step of moving the holder in a second direction opposite the first direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular balloon layer is a heat-shrink polymer film tube.