Patent ID: 7867435
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61M,B29C,B29K,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming an inflatable member of a catheter assembly, the method comprising: placing a tube member in an unexpanded configuration into a mold cavity, the mold cavity defining a main cavity portion and a bulge cavity portion, the tube member including a nugget portion having an increased wall thickness relative to other portions of the tube member, the nugget portion being aligned with the bulge cavity portion; moving a pin member in a first direction within the mold cavity to contact and move the nugget portion of the unexpanded tube member to a first position toward the bulge cavity portion; heating the tube member within the mold cavity when the nugget portion is in the first position; and while the tube member is being heated, expanding the tube member with a fluid such that a portion of the nugget portion expands into the bulge cavity portion; wherein, as the portion of the nugget portion expands into the bulge cavity portion, the fluid exerts a pressure on the pin member moving the pin member in a second direction opposite the first direction allowing the remainder of the nugget portion to expand and fill the main cavity portion.