Method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter

• US 8,092,634 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Limited (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Limited (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Quint, Bodo, Nielsen, Stevan
• Primary Examiner(s): Aftergut, Jeff
• Application Number:
  US12/871,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20100319848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 156/293, 156/272.2, 156/273.5
• US Class Current: 156/293
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/009 Using laser curing using laser B29C2035/0838, welding using laser beams B29C65/16
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/14 using wave energy , i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation using mechanical waves B29C65/06; using ultrasonic waves B29C65/08; pressing means transparent to electromagnetic radiation B29C66/81267
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1441 making use of a reflector on the opposite side, e.g. a polished mandrel or a mirror pressing means reflective to electromagnetic radiation B29C66/81268
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1445 heating both sides of the joint
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/16 Laser beams
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1635 at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/245 the heat transfer being achieved contactless, e.g. by radiation B29C65/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/68 using auxiliary shrinkable elements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7855 Provisory fixing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53241 said articles being tubular and said substantially annular single elements being of finite length relative to the infinite length of said tubular articles making T-shaped pieces by joining tubular articles B29C66/52241
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5344 said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length, e.g. joining flanges to tube ends B29C66/5346 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/612 Making circumferential joints
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/63 Internally supporting the article during joining B29C66/49 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7543 Balloon catheters

Abstract

A method for connecting a catheter balloon with a catheter shaft of a balloon catheter that improves the welding quality of a weld between the catheter balloon and the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter. Preferably, a welding energy absorbing device is arranged, preferably in the form of a coloured tubing, in the area of a fixation site after attaching a pre-fixation and then to irradiate this welding energy absorbing device with the radiation energy to carry out the welding. After the welding the pre-fixation and the welding energy absorbing device are removed.

Claims

1. A method comprising the following steps:

attaching a pre-fixation device for temporary fastening of a balloon to a desired fixation site of a catheter shaft;

arranging a welding energy absorbing device separate from the pre-fixation device in the area of the fixation site of the catheter balloon on the catheter shaft;

irradiating the welding energy absorbing device with radiation energy; and

removing the pre-fixation device and the welding energy absorbing device after welding the balloon with the catheter shaft.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-fixation device comprises a colored area.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attaching of the pre-fixation device includes a heat shrink tubing being applied on the fixation site.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the welding energy absorbing device includes a colored area.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arranging of the welding energy absorbing device includes a colored tubing being applied on the pre-fixation device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein arranging a welding energy absorbing device comprises positioning a stiletto having a colored area into the catheter shaft in the area of the desired fixation site as the welding energy absorbing device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the irradiating of the welding energy absorbing device with radiation energy includes using one of a laser light, a monochromatic light or a polychromatic light as a light source or using an electromagnetic radiation source.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation energy has an at least almost homogeneous distribution.