Patent ID: 6124007
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: A61M,B29C,B29K,B29L,B32B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A laminate balloon comprising at least two layers of polymer material which are coextensive over the body of the balloon when the balloon is at rest, the balloon produced by a process comprising the steps of:a) providing a first tubing segment of a polymer material;b) stretching the first tubing segment at a first stretch ratio to produce a first stretched tube having an outer diameter;c) providing a second tubing segment of a polymer material said second tubing segment having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the first stretched tube;d) inserting the first stretched tube into the second tubing segment;e) stretching the second tubing segment at a second stretch ratio to produce a second stretched tube, the first and second stretched tubes being brought into direct annular contact during the stretching of said second tubing segment, to form a laminate stretched tubing structure; andf) forming the laminate balloon by pressurizing the laminate stretched tubing structure at a temperature and pressure above ambient so as to expand the laminate stretched tubing structure,the balloon so produced having a wall strength which is greater than each of said layers individually.