Balloon with dividing fabric layers and method for braiding over three-dimensional forms
AssigneeC.R. Bard, Inc.
InventorCharles L. Simpson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.
Claims20
A medical balloon comprising a plurality of continuous interwoven fibers, said fibers forming a fabric which defines only a single layer on a first section of the balloon and multiple layers on a second section of the balloon.
A medical balloon comprising:
- first and second fibers at least in part interwoven together to define a main layer that reinforces a main portion of the balloon, the first fibers defining a first layer than that reinforces a first portion of the balloon, the second fibers defining a second layer that reinforces the first portion;
- wherein the first layer is separate from the second layer.
A method of manufacturing a medical balloon, comprising:
- interweaving first and second fibers to form a main fabric layer to reinforce a main balloon section;
- interweaving only the first fibers to weave a first fabric layer to reinforce a first balloon section;
- and
- interweaving only the second fibers to weave a second fabric layer to reinforce the first balloon section by disposing the second fabric layer over the first fabric layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.