Patent ID: 6740273
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A method for making a silicon rubber balloon catheter, the method comprising the steps of:extruding an elongated lumen tube provided with a drainage lumen and an inflation lumen therein, wherein the elongated lumen tube has a diameter less than the silicon rubber balloon catheter; vulcanizing, the elongated lumen tube; cutting the vulcanized elongated lumen tube to form one or more unit length lumen tubes; fitting a support rod in the drainage lumen of the unit length lumen tube; forming two apertures through the unit length lumen tube at a balloon forming region, wherein the two apertures each have a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm; coating an outer surface of the unit length lumen tube uniformly at the balloon forming region with a bond preventing agent while turning the unit length lumen tube along its circumference, wherein the coating of the bond preventing agent has straight edges; removing the support rod from the unit length lumen tube; connecting the coated unit length lumen tube to another coated unit length lumen tube with a connector to form a series of unit length lumen tubes; extruding a balloon tube having uniform thickness over the series of unit length lumen tubes such that the series of unit length lumen tubes is with in the balloon tube; ensuring that the bond preventing agent is not discolored or has not deteriorated; vulcanizing the balloon tube; cutting the balloon tube to form one or more unit length balloon tubes, wherein the unit length balloon tube is approximately equivalent in length to the unit length lumen tube; removing the connector from the unit length lumen tube; forming a tip at one end of the unit length balloon tube; and forming a urine drainage hole through the unit length balloon tube and through the drainage lumen within the unit length lumen tube.