Patent ID: 7345256
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: A61M,B23K,B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method of bonding members of a catheter, comprising: extending a mandrel through the members of the catheter and having a free end extending from the members of the catheter; contacting the free end of the mandrel directly with a driving means; directly driving at a first position the free end of the mandrel extending through the members of the catheter for rotation about their axes, wherein the members of the catheter include a dilation balloon, a tubular member, and catheter tubing, and the end of the mandrel extends through the distal end of the dilation balloon; separately driving at a second position at least one of the members of the catheter near the proximate end of the dilation balloon for rotation about their axes in synchronism with the rotation of the mandrel; driving members and the mandrel axially at the same speed and in synchronism; and directing a main laser beam radially toward the distal end of the dilation balloon intermediate the first position and the second position to bond the distal end of the dilation balloon to the catheter tubing.