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AssigneeBaxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsLawrence F. Becker, Richard W. Cobean
Estimating the term…
A thermoplastic member such as a length of tubing for forming a catheter balloon is positioned on the thermoplastic shaft of a medical device. A length of shrink tubing is placed over each end of the balloon tubing and adjoins a portion of the shaft. Each length of shrink tubing may then be preshrunk to maintain its position. The shaft, balloon tubing, and shrink tubing are then inserted in an apparatus capable of supplying radiant heat in a narrow annular band. The apparatus automatically positions each portion of the shaft and balloon tubing covered by shrink tubing at a location at which it will intercept the narrow annular band of radiant heat. Radiant heat is supplied by the apparatus to cause further shrinkage of the shrink tubing and to seal the balloon tubing onto the shaft. The shrink tubing may be removed to complete the assembly of a balloon catheter. It is preferred that the shrink tubing be tinted so as to enhance the seal formed between the balloon tubing and the shaft.
A method for using radiant energy for sealing annular ends of a tubular member onto an elongated shaft of a medical device, comprising:
A method of sealing annular ends of a tubular member onto an elongated shaft of a medical device comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.