Balloon catheter and method of mounting same
View Patent ↗The present invention provides improved methods for forming and mounting a sleeve on a catheter shaft in order to form a distensible balloon catheter. The balloon is formed from a distensible sleeve that is treated to render one or both of its ends essentially non-distensible. The balloon is mounted on the catheter shaft by the non-distensible ends, without compromising the distensible operative portion of the balloon. The balloon may also be mounted using non-distensible tape or similar means to achieve a similar result.
1. A sleeve adapted to be mounted on a catheter shaft so as to be formed into an inflatable balloon comprising
the sleeve having a first end, a second end, and a middle section;
wherein prior to being formed into the balloon by mounting on the catheter shaft at least one of the ends is non-distensible while the middle section of the sleeve is distensible.
2. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is mounted on a catheter shaft to form an inflatable balloon.
3. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the sleeve forms a liquid-tight seal at the ends to the catheter shaft.
4. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one end is tape wrapped to render it non-distensible.
5. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one end has a coating to render it non-distensible.
6. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one end has a modified structure that renders it non-distensible.
7. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one end is covered with an essentially non-distensible material to render it non-distensible.
8. The sleeve of claim 7 wherein the essentially non-distensible material comprises a reinforcing collar.
9. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the at least one end is attached with adhesive to a non-distensible material to render it non-distensible.
10. The sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve comprises a fluoropolymer.
11. The sleeve of claim 10 wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene.
12. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the at least one end is tape wrapped to render it non-distensible.
13. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the at least one end has a coating to render it non-distensible.
14. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the at least one end has a modified structure that renders it non-distensible.
15. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the at least one end is covered with an essentially non-distensible material to render it non-distensible.
16. The sleeve of claim 15 wherein the essentially non-distensible material comprises a reinforcing collar.
17. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the at least one end is attached to a non-distensible material to render it non-distensible.
18. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein the sleeve comprises a fluoropolymer.
19. The sleeve of claim 18 wherein the fluoropolymer comprises a polytetafluoroethylene.