Cutting or scoring balloon, system and method of making a cutting or scoring balloon
A cutting or scoring balloon ( 10 ) of elongate shape and provided at its periphery with a plurality of scoring elements ( 12 ) extending longitudinally along the balloon. The scoring elements ( 12 ) are formed integrally with the balloon wall ( 14 ) and in the preferred embodiment are of the same material. A raw material form ( 20 ) for producing the balloon ( 10 ) is provided with a series of zones ( 26, 28 ) of greater thickness compared to the remainder of the balloon wall ( 24 ). These zones ( 26, 28 ) are located adjacent respective ribs ( 22 ) and extend longitudinally along the balloon wall for substantially the same distance as the ribs ( 22 ). The zones ( 26, 28 ) ensure that these will expand (stretch) preferentially compared to the remainder of the raw material form ( 20 ) and in particular the ribs ( 22 ), with the effect that the ribs ( 22 ) will not tend to be stretched.
1. A scoring balloon raw material form for an angioplasty balloon catheter including a balloon wall, and one or more scoring elements formed integrally with the balloon wall; wherein the balloon wall includes at least one zone of greater thickness adjacent the or each scoring element, the at least one zone of greater thickness extending radially in the region of 10% to 20% of the overall circumference of the raw material form.
2. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one zone of greater thickness extends radially in the region of 10% to 15% off the circumference of the wall.
3. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 2 , wherein the or each scoring element is substantially V-shaped in transverse cross-section.
4. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the raw material form has a wall which is generally and substantially of even thickness, one or more scoring elements formed in the balloon wall, each scoring element being sandwiched between zones of greater balloon wall thickness.
5. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the balloon wall and the scoring elements are formed of the same material.
6. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one zone of greater thickness extends radially in the region of 12% of the circumference of the wall.
7. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the or each scoring element extends in a longitudinal direction of the scoring balloon.
8. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 7 , wherein the scoring element or elements extend for a substantial length of the balloon.
9. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 7 , wherein a plurality of scoring elements are arranged substantially linearly along the length of the scoring balloon.
10. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the or each scoring element has a pointed apex.
11. A scoring balloon raw material form according to claim 1 , wherein the or each scoring element has a concave inner surface.
12. A scoring balloon for an angioplasty balloon catheter including a balloon wall, and one or more scoring elements formed integrally with the balloon wall; wherein the balloon wall is formed with at least one zone of greater thickness adjacent the or each scoring element, the at least one zone of greater thickness extending in an arc in the range of 10° to 60°.
13. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one zone of greater thickness extends in an arc in the range of 20° to 50°.
14. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the or each scoring element has a concave inner surface.
15. A scoring balloon according to claim 14 , wherein the or each scoring element is substantially V-shaped in transverse cross-section.
16. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the balloon has a wall which is generally and substantially of even thickness, one or more scoring elements formed in the balloon wall, each scoring element being sandwiched between zones of greater balloon wall thickness.
17. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the balloon wall and the scoring elements are formed of the same material.
18. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the scoring elements are integrally formed with the balloon.
19. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein a plurality of scoring elements are arranged substantially linearly along the length of the scoring balloon.
20. A scoring balloon according to claim 12 , wherein the or each scoring element has a pointed apex.
21. A scoring balloon for an angioplasty balloon catheter including a balloon wall, and one or more scoring elements formed integrally with the balloon wall; wherein the balloon wall is formed with at least one zone of greater thickness adjacent the or each scoring element, the at least one zone of greater thickness extending in an arc in the range of 30° to 40°.