Patent ID: 8128860

Claim:
A method of pleating a balloon comprising the steps of: a. providing a pleater having a plurality of segments, each having a predetermined shape with a proximal end and an angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in an edge of a predetermined length, each segment having a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, one said point being pivotally coupled by pins to a stationary member and one said point being pivotally coupled by pins to a rotatable segment drive member, the segments being arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to and a predetermined distance away from a central point and defining a central aperture with a curved spiral-pleat dimension, and that the segment centerlines extending therefrom toward the segment distal ends are oriented away from the central point; b. placing a balloon on a shaft substrate; c. inserting the balloon and shaft substrate into the central aperture; and d. while the balloon is stationary, rotating the rotatable member of the pleater in a predetermined direction so that the segment distal ends move closer to the central point, whereby the central aperture contacts, compresses and pleats the balloon on the shaft substrate.