Wedge dissectors for a medical balloon
Inventors
Giasolli, Robert M. • Schneider, Peter • Johansson, Peter
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11717654-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.
Core Innovation
A medical balloon catheter includes an expandable balloon extending longitudinally from a balloon proximal end to a balloon distal end. A strip extends longitudinally along an outer surface of the expandable balloon from a strip proximal end to a strip distal end, and the strip includes a plurality of wedge dissectors spaced apart along the strip.
Each wedge dissector comprises an outward facing surface having a length between a proximal edge and a distal edge of the outward facing surface. An overlay of material is positioned circumferentially around the expandable balloon and forms a perimeter around each individual wedge dissector, and the outward facing surface of each individual wedge dissector extends above the overlay of material.
The overlay includes an overlay proximal end between the balloon proximal end and the strip proximal end, or an overlay distal end between the balloon distal end and the strip distal end. The wedge dissectors are configured to cut through or puncture an overlay of material, and the overlay of material can comprise a thermoplastic material and/or a flexible polymer material configured to be heated.
Claims Coverage
The document contains two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive concepts are centered on a longitudinal strip carrying spaced wedge dissectors and a circumferential overlay that forms a perimeter around each wedge dissector, with the wedge outward-facing surface extending above the overlay, plus specified positional endpoints for the overlay and optional material, interaction, and spacing refinements.
Longitudinal strip carrying spaced wedge dissectors on an expandable balloon
An expandable balloon extending longitudinally from a balloon proximal end to a balloon distal end; a strip extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the expandable balloon from a strip proximal end to a strip distal end; the strip including a plurality of wedge dissectors spaced apart along the strip.
Circumferential overlay forming a perimeter around each wedge dissector
An overlay of material positioned circumferentially around the expandable balloon; the overlay forms a perimeter around each individual wedge dissector; an outward facing surface of each wedge dissector extends above the overlay of material.
Overlay endpoint placement relative to balloon and strip ends
The overlay of material comprises an overlay proximal end between the balloon proximal end and the strip proximal end, or an overlay distal end between the balloon distal end and the strip distal end.
Wedge dissector interaction with the overlay via cutting or puncturing
Wedge dissectors configured to cut through an overlay of material, or wedge dissectors configured to puncture an overlay of material.
Overlay material configuration and defined thermal/material properties
The overlay comprises a thermoplastic material and/or a flexible polymer material configured to be heated; the overlay material can be configured to shrink toward the outer surface of the expandable balloon.
Geometric spacing configuration for wedge dissectors along the strip
The wedge dissectors can include equal spacing along the strip and/or a minimum relationship where the space between adjacent wedge dissectors is at least as long as the wedge dissectors.
The independent claims focus on a balloon catheter structure where a longitudinal strip with spaced wedge dissectors is carried on an expandable balloon and a circumferential overlay of material forms a perimeter around each wedge dissector so the outward facing surface extends above the overlay. The document further defines where the overlay end is located and includes refinements relating to the wedge interaction with the overlay, overlay material properties, and spacing relationships among adjacent wedge dissectors.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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