Dimensionally stable balloons
First Claim
1. An inflatable medical balloon which is mounted on a catheter, and has a determined preinflation length, restricted longitudinal and radial characteristics, a circumference and a longitudinal axis, composed of a micro-composite material comprising a polymer matrix component with a polymer fibril component distributed in the polymer matrix component, the polymer fibril component having micro-fibers oriented substantially parallel or diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the balloon, the polymer fibril component composed of one or more members selected from the group consisting of rigid-rod thermoplastic, semi-rigid rod thermoplastic, liquid crystal polymer, which are stronger than the matrix material and have bulk elongation between 50% and 150%, which is less than the matrix material and the fibril component and the matrix component operatively adhere to one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical balloon composed of a micro-composite material which provides for radial expansion of a balloon to a predetermined extent, but which has minimal longitudinal growing during balloon inflation. The micro-composite material includes a fibril component, a matrix component, and optionally, a compatibilizer. The fibril component may preferably be liquid crystal polymer fibers randomly scattered through out the balloon material. The liquid crystal polymers are created by extrusion at high speed. An alternative fibril component may be a PET fibers which are uniformly spaced about the balloon material and extend through out the length of the balloon material tube.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. An inflatable medical balloon which is mounted on a catheter, and has a determined preinflation length, restricted longitudinal and radial characteristics, a circumference and a longitudinal axis, composed of a micro-composite material comprising a polymer matrix component with a polymer fibril component distributed in the polymer matrix component, the polymer fibril component having micro-fibers oriented substantially parallel or diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the balloon, the polymer fibril component composed of one or more members selected from the group consisting of rigid-rod thermoplastic, semi-rigid rod thermoplastic, liquid crystal polymer, which are stronger than the matrix material and have bulk elongation between 50% and 150%, which is less than the matrix material and the fibril component and the matrix component operatively adhere to one another.
Specification