Patent ID: 8309007
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of folding a balloon member, the balloon member having a proximal portion that is substantially cylindrical when inflated, a distal portion that is substantially cylindrical when inflated, and a circumferential bulge portion, the circumferential bulge portion being positioned at a location between the proximal and distal portions of the balloon, the circumferential bulge portion extending around a circumference of the balloon member and having a maximum inflated dimension that is greater than a maximum radially outward expanded dimension of the proximal portion of the balloon and a maximum radially outward expanded dimension of the distal portion of the balloon member, the method comprising: (a) folding at least one of the proximal and distal portions of the balloon member by moving a plurality of separate folding members in a radial direction into contact with the at least one of the proximal and distal portions; and (b) folding the circumferential bulge portion of the balloon member in a step separate from folding the at least one of the proximal and distal portions; wherein the step of folding at least one of the proximal and distal portions results in a different fold configuration from a fold configuration resulting from the step of folding the circumferential bulge portion.