Patent ID: 8585959
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a balloon for a balloon catheter, comprising: extruding a parison having a uniform shape along an entire length thereof, said parison comprising a central opening and a longitudinal tubular extension extending from an exterior surface of said parison, said tubular extension defining a longitudinal cavity bounded circumferentially and longitudinally by a wall of said tubular extension; disposing a dilation element into said longitudinal cavity of said tubular extension through an end opening thereof; stretching said parison while said parison is heated after said dilation element is disposed into said tubular extension and before said parison is pressurized, said tubular extension thereby shrinking diametrically against said dilation element; and heating said parison inside a mold and pressurizing said central opening, said parison thereby expanding against said mold, wherein an outer portion of said wall is compressed against said mold, and said dilation element extends along a length of a working diameter of said balloon.