Medical device balloons with improved strength properties and processes for producing same
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsLixiao Wang, John Jianhua Chen, Jeffrey S. Lindquist, Nao Pao Lee, Douglas A. Devens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.
Claims24
A method of making a parison for forming a medical device balloon, the method comprising extruding a tube of polymeric material to form the tube, wherein the extrusion is controlled to provide the extruded tube with an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation at break of the bulk polymeric material.
A method of making a parison for forming a medical device balloon, the method comprising extruding a tube of polymeric material to form the tube, the extrusion having a draw down ratio of about 8 or higher.
A method of making a parison for forming a medical device balloon, the method comprising extruding a tube of polymeric material from an extruder having a barrel where the mixture is kept in molten state at a barrel temperature and a die zone where the molten material is pushed through a die to form the tube, wherein the die zone is kept at a temperature at least 5° F. below the barrel temperature.
A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon, the parison being formed of a polymeric material, the parison having an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation at break of the bulk polymeric material.
A medical device balloon formed of a thermoplastic elastomer polymeric material and having a tensile wall strength in excess of 34,000 psi in pre-sterilized condition.
A medical device balloon formed of a thermoplastic elastomer polymeric material and having a tensile wall strength, in post-sterilized condition, of 32,000 psi or more.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.