Patent ID: 8382931

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a catheter having an expandable member, the method comprising steps of: preparing cylindrically-tubular raw materials from highly elastic polyurethane (TPU) including an expandable member with a first and second end, a first tube with a first and second end, and a second tube with a first and second end, where the second tube is passed through an interior of the first tube; maturing said raw materials in a drier at 50-55° C. for 20 days, so that said raw materials have 80-95A of hardness; preparing said expandable member, said first tube and said second tube into forms for coupling to each other by cutting said raw materials to lengths corresponding to said expandable member, said first tube and said second tube, respectively; heating said second tube with a hot air blower and fitting index rings to said second tube at predetermined locations; contracting a diameter of said second end of said expandable member and welding said second end of said expandable member to said first end of said first tube using a high-frequency welding machine, and contracting a diameter of said first end of said expandable member and welding said first end of said expandable member with said first end of the second tube which is passed through the interior of said first tube using the high-frequency welding machine; connecting said second end of said first tube to a first side of a manifold, and connecting said second end of said second tube to a second side of the manifold; forming said expandable member to a shape and a size using a molding machine and a mold; drying an interior of said expandable member and said second tube and maturing said expandable member for 24 hours in the drier at 50-55° C.; conducting a pressure test in which said expandable member is subjected to a maximum pressure of 350 psi; conducting a welding inspection between said expandable member and said first tube, and between said expandable member and said second tube; conducting an inspection of the connected state between said manifold and said first tube, and between said manifold and said second tube; and drying the interior of said expandable member and said second tube and maturing said expandable member for 48 hours in the drier at 50-55° C.