Patent ID: 7179345
Filing Date: 2007-02-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a balloon catheter which includes an outer tubular member having proximal and distal ends; an inner tubular member having proximal and distal ends, said inner tubular member being coaxial with said outer tubular member, said inner tubular member running longitudinally through said outer tubular member and extending distally beyond the distal end of said outer tubular member; an inflatable balloon having a main body portion and proximal and distal portions extending from said main body portion, said proximal and distal portions each having an inner and outer surface and a retaining ring crimped over the outer surface; and a proximal retaining sleeve at the balloon proximal end portion; wherein the method comprises the steps of: applying a first layer of adhesive material to the distal end of the outer tubular member; inserting the proximal portion of the balloon over the section of the outer tubular member covered by the first layer of adhesive material such that the balloon and the outer tubular member are coaxially oriented; positioning a first retaining ring over the proximal portion of the balloon; crimping a first retaining ring onto the proximal portion of the balloon; inserting the inner tubular member inside the balloon; positioning a second retaining ring over the balloon; applying a second layer of adhesive material onto the distal end of the inner tubular member at a location beneath the distal potion of the balloon; crimping the second retaining ring onto the distal portion of the balloon; positioning a proximal retaining sleeve to overlap at least a portion of the crimped first retaining ring and a section of the outer tubular member that is immediately proximally adjacent to the crimped first retaining ring; and heat fusing the proximal retaining sleeve to the crimped first retaining ring and to the outer tubular member section while conforming the proximal retaining sleeve to enclose the proximal portion of the first retaining ring thereby preventing the first retaining ring from moving along the length of the outer tubular member.