Medical device balloons with improved strength properties and processes for producing the same
A tubular parison for forming a medical device balloon. The parison is formed of a polymeric material, for instance a thermoplastic elastomer. The parison has an elongation at break which is not more than 80% of the elongation of the bulk polymeric material. The elongation of the parison is controlled by altering extrusion conditions. Balloons prepared from the parisons provide higher wall strength and/or higher inflation durability than balloons prepared from conventional parisons of the same material.
1. A medical device balloon formed of a thermoplastic elastomer polymeric material and having a tensile wall strength in excess of 34,000 psi in pre-sterilized condition.
2. A medical device balloon as in claim 1 wherein said tensile wall strength in excess of 37,000 psi in pre-sterilized condition.
3. A medical device balloon as in claim 1 wherein the polymeric material comprises a polyamide/polyether/polyester, a polyester/polyether block copolymer, a polyurethane block copolymer or a mixture thereof.
4. A medical device balloon as in claim 1 wherein the polymeric material is a polyamide/polyether/polyester.
5. A medical device balloon as in claim 1 formed with a single layer of said polymeric material.
6. A medical device balloon as in claim 1 comprising of a plurality of layers of said polymeric material.
7. A medical device comprising a balloon as in claim 1 mounted on a catheter.
8. A medical device as in claim 7 further comprising a stent mounted on the catheter.
9. A medical device balloon formed of a thermoplastic elastomer polymeric material and having a tensile wall strength, in post-sterilized condition, of 32,000 psi or more.