Balloon catheter device
AssigneeGore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
InventorsCarey V. Campbell, Alvaro J. Laguna, Mark S. Spencer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.
Claims21
A balloon catheter comprising a tubular catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed thereto, said catheter shaft having a longitudinal axis, said balloon comprising a porous polytetrafluoroethylene material having void spaces, said void spaces being substantially sealed by an elastomeric material, and wherein said porous polytetrafluoroethylene material has fibrils oriented helically about the longitudinal axis.
A balloon catheter comprising a tubular catheter shaft, said catheter shaft having a longitudinal axis and having an inflatable balloon affixed to one end of the catheter shaft wherein said balloon comprises an elastomeric material and a porous polytetrafluoroethylene material having fibrils oriented helically about the longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft.
A method of making a balloon catheter, comprising:
- a. providing a length of tubular catheter shaft having an inflation lumen connecting to an inflation port;
- b. helically wrapping a length of porous polytetrafluoroethylene film about a first mandrel and removing the first mandrel, thereby creating a film tube having two opposing ends;
- c. substantially sealing void spaces in the porous polytetrafluoroethylene film of the film tube with an elastomeric material;
- and
- d. affixing the two opposing ends of the film tube to one end of the tubular catheter shaft such that the inflation port is located between the two ends of the film tube, thereby creating an inflatable balloon from the film tube.
A neural balloon dilatation catheter comprising a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed thereto, wherein said balloon following inflation to 8 atmospheres and subsequent deflation, has a compaction efficiency ratio of greater than about 0.3, and wherein said balloon is dimensioned for use in neural applications.
A neural balloon dilatation catheter comprising a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed thereto, wherein said balloon has a compaction ratio of greater than about 0.5, and wherein said balloon is dimensioned for use in neural applications.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.