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Methods of making balloon catheter tip

  • US 7,261,850 B2
  • Filed: 06/30/2004
  • Issued: 08/28/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of making a tip of a balloon catheter for performing a therapeutic procedure on a patient, comprising the steps of:

  • a) providing a flexible catheter shaft having proximal and distal ends, at least a distal portion of the catheter shaft having a tubular body defining a lumen and a distal end with a distally facing surface; and

    providing an angioplasty balloon having a central inflatable portion and a pair of cylindrical proximal and distal legs;

    b) affixing the distal balloon leg to the tubular body at or near its distal end;

    c) providing a tubular tip member defining a lumen; and

    placing the tip member in contact with the distally facing surface of the tubular body, thereby defining a contact location;

    d) placing a shrink tube of heat-shrink material around the contact location; and

    inserting a wire mandrel through the lumens of the tubular body and tip member;

    e) heating the shrink tube sufficiently to cause the shrink tube to apply a radially compressive force to the tubular body and tip member, and to cause partial melting of the tubular body and the tip member; and

    f) while the shrink tube is at an elevated temperature, moving the wire mandrel longitudinally in the proximal and/or distal direction, such that portions of the tubular body and tip member blend together and seal the tip member to the tubular body.

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