Blow molded composite devices and methods
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsMichael R. Broyles, Edward H. Cully, Peter Heicksen, Joseph B. Koenig, Matthew E. Maulding, Kenneth Mazzarese
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed toward a composite balloon comprising a layer of material having a porous microstructure (e.g., ePTFE or expanded polyethylene) and a thermoplastic polymeric layer useful for medical applications. The layers of the composite balloons become adhered through a stretch blow-molding process. Methods of making and using such composite balloons are also described amongst others.
Claims44
A medical balloon comprising a balloon wall defining a chamber and comprising a layered material, wherein the layered material comprises a first polymer layer adhered to a fluoropolymer layer comprising a porous microstructure, wherein layers are in overlying relationship to each other and the fluoropolymer layer is an outermost layer.
A method of making a medical balloon comprising radially expanding, in a mold, a thermoplastic balloon preform and a fluoropolymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the tubular member is disposed about the balloon preform and applying heat to the radially expanded balloon preform and the fluoropolymeric tubular member at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform but below the melt temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform to form a layered balloon body.
A method of making a medical balloon comprising radially expanding, in a mold, a thermoplastic balloon preform and applying heat to the radially expanded balloon preform at a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform but below the melt temperature of the thermoplastic balloon preform to form a balloon body;
- removing the balloon body from the mold;
- mechanically or manually pleating the balloon body;
- mechanically or manually folding the balloon body to a nominal diameter;
- inserting the balloon body into a fluoropolymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the fluoropolymeric tubular member is disposed about the balloon body forming a composite structure;
- placing said composite structure into a mold;
- applying heat and pressure to said composite structure forming a composite balloon;
- removing said composite balloon from the mold.
An assembly for making a medical balloon comprising a balloon mold defining a chamber;
- a thermoplastic balloon preform;
- and a polymeric tubular member comprising a porous microstructure, wherein the tubular member is disposed about the balloon preform and wherein at least a portion of the tubular member and the balloon preform are disposed within the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.