In a balloon tube (10) which is processed after it is mounted on a mold, a bag part (14) has a plurality of parts having a different drawability in a radial direction centered around an axial direction X, disposed along the axial direction X. The highest drawability part (11), which has the highest drawability, is disposed to separate from both ends of the bag part (14) in the axial direction X thereof. The balloon tube (10) is preferable to stably fabricate a balloon having a uniform film thickness.

In a balloon tube (10) which is processed after it is mounted on a mold, a bag part (14) has a plurality of parts having a different drawability in a radial direction centered around an axial direction X, disposed along the axial direction X. The highest drawability part (11), which has the highest drawability, is disposed to separate from both ends of the bag part (14) in the axial direction X thereof. The balloon tube (10) is preferable to stably fabricate a balloon having a uniform film thickness.

The invention discloses a process for the preparation of a biodegradable stent which involves deforming an extruded biodegradable polymer tube axially at a first predefined temperature by applying an axial force for a first predefined time interval. The process is followed by radially expanding the axially stretched tube at a second predefined temperature by pressurizing the tube with an inert gas in one or more stages, the pressure applied in each successive stage being higher than the pressure applied in a previous stage. The process further comprises laser cutting a specific pattern of scaffold structure on the expanded tube and then crimping the laser cut stent on the balloon of delivery catheter in a sterile environment in multiple stages.

A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a morphology resulting from a biaxially expanded tube arranged to provide a more balanced, or less anisotropic axial and radial mechanical properties. The scaffold has improved mechanical properties suited for use as a balloon expandable scaffold implanted in a peripheral vessel of the body.

A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold has a morphology resulting from a biaxially expanded tube arranged to provide a more balanced, or less anisotropic axial and radial mechanical properties. The scaffold has improved mechanical properties suited for use as a balloon expandable scaffold implanted in a peripheral vessel of the body.

Methods for making scaffolds for delivery via a balloon catheter are described. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold structure has patterns that include an asymmetric or symmetric closed cell, and links connecting such closed cells.

Methods for making scaffolds for delivery via a balloon catheter are described. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold structure has patterns that include an asymmetric or symmetric closed cell, and links connecting such closed cells.

Methods of fabricating a polymer scaffold with increased radial strength including steps of elongation or strain of a biaxially oriented tube and annealing or thermal processing of the strained tube at a constant strain are disclosed. The steps of elongation and thermal processing increase axial direction chain orientation and lamellar crystal growth, increase radial strength, and decrease the thickness of the tube. The method allows fabrication of a scaffold with thinner struts which provide sufficient radial strength.

Methods of fabricating a polymer scaffold with increased radial strength including steps of elongation or strain of a biaxially oriented tube and annealing or thermal processing of the strained tube at a constant strain are disclosed. The steps of elongation and thermal processing increase axial direction chain orientation and lamellar crystal growth, increase radial strength, and decrease the thickness of the tube. The method allows fabrication of a scaffold with thinner struts which provide sufficient radial strength.

Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.