Medical device balloons containing thermoplastic elastomers
First Claim
1. A dilatation balloon for use in a medical catheter device, said dilatation balloon comprising, as a single, unitary balloon, a thermoplastic elastomer in combination with a non-compliant structural polymeric material, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is not under tensile stress in said combination when said balloon is inflated.
4 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter (10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14) in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material. The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example, a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant, elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A dilatation balloon for use in a medical catheter device, said dilatation balloon comprising, as a single, unitary balloon, a thermoplastic elastomer in combination with a non-compliant structural polymeric material, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is not under tensile stress in said combination when said balloon is inflated.
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11. A catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit, said catheter comprising:
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a shaft including a lumen internal to said shaft for delivery of fluid inflation media; and a dilatation balloon bonded to said shaft and defining a chamber, said chamber being in fluid communication with said lumen to permit inflation of said chamber, wherein said dilatation balloon comprises, as a single, unitary balloon, a thermoplastic elastomer in combination with a non-compliant structural polymeric material, and said thermoplastic elastomer is not under tensile stress in said combination when said balloon is inflated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification