Adhesive-Free Bonded Balloon for a Balloon Guide Catheter With Minimal Outer Profile

A method for assembling a balloon guide catheter, the method comprising the steps of:

• piercing a plurality of punctures in a bond interface area of a balloon where securable to an outer layer made of a reflowable material of a catheter shaft;
• arranging the balloon with the plurality of punctures pierced therein about the outer layer of the catheter shaft;
• and
• subjecting to heat along the bond interface area causing the reflowable material of the outer layer of the catheter shaft to seep into the plurality of punctures creating a radially outward reflow bond between the outer layer of the catheter shaft and the balloon;
• wherein the balloon is secured to the catheter shaft without an adhesive.