Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a multilayered structure and a method of making the same. Various embodiments relate to a balloon including the multilayered structure. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a multilayered structure that can include a layer (a) including a cyclic olefin polymer or copolymer and an olefin polymer or copolymer. The multilayered structure can also include a layer (b) comprising a cyclic olefin polymer or copolymer and an olefin polymer or copolymer. Layer (a) can be substantially in contact with layer (b).

Aspects of the disclosure relate to fabricating balloon envelopes for high-altitude balloons. One or more segments of reinforcing tape are applied to gore segments of the balloon envelope. The segments are arranged in a ring to circumscribe an upper portion of the balloon envelope, and may be affixed by a pressure sensitive adhesive. Should a catastrophic failure of the balloon envelope occur, the reinforcing tape acts as a ripstop to prevent a tear from extending upward toward the apex of the balloon envelope. Tendons secured to the apex and to a base of the balloon envelope are configured to keep the top film of the envelope in a parachute configuration in the event of a catastrophic failure. The reinforcing tape is positioned above an equator of the balloon envelope, for instance approximately of the distance down from the apex to the base of the envelope.

The inventive technology encompasses new and novel methods for manufacturing helium-free balloons using improved injection molding systems and techniques. The invention includes new and novel preform, as well as parison based methods and methods of manufacturing integrated helium-free balloons compatible with external support components.

A catheter includes a balloon and a shaft having a coaxial portion including an outer tubular member having a bore, a transition neck, an access fitting adjacent the proximate end of the catheter shaft for directing a guidewire into the catheter shaft, an inflation port, a guidewire tubular member disposed coaxially in the outer tubular member, the outer tubular member and guidewire tubular member defining a first, annular inflation/deflation lumen fluid communication with the inflation port, at least one second inflation/deflation lumen separate from and non-coaxial with the guidewire tubular member and having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the first inflation/deflation lumen and opening at a proximate end into the first inflation/deflation lumen and at the distal end of the transition neck.

A catheter includes a balloon and a shaft having a coaxial portion including an outer tubular member having a bore, a transition neck, an access fitting adjacent the proximate end of the catheter shaft for directing a guidewire into the catheter shaft, an inflation port, a guidewire tubular member disposed coaxially in the outer tubular member, the outer tubular member and guidewire tubular member defining a first, annular inflation/deflation lumen fluid communication with the inflation port, at least one second inflation/deflation lumen separate from and non-coaxial with the guidewire tubular member and having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the first inflation/deflation lumen and opening at a proximate end into the first inflation/deflation lumen and at the distal end of the transition neck.

The technology relates to a heat sealing system (400). For instance, the heat sealing system may include a sealer assembly (800) including a pair of heat sealing bars (830, 840) configured to generate heat seals. The heat sealing system may also include a positioning (900) assembly including a platform (910) and a motor (952). The sealer assembly may be mounted to the positioning assembly, and the motor may be configured to move the sealer assembly towards and away from an edge of a table (1600).

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system. For instance, a stream of polyethylene mixture is extruded through an extruder in order to orient molecules of polymer chains of polyethylene and to provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam and thereby crosslinking the polymer chains to provide a cross-linked film. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing a balloon envelope for use in a stratospheric balloon system using an improved double-bubble blown-film extrusion process with water quenching and electron beam processing. A stream of polyethylene mixture is extruded through an extruder to orient molecules of polymer chains and provide an oriented film. The oriented film is passed through an electron beam, crosslinking the polymer chains to produce a cross-linked film with enhanced mechanical properties. The cross-linked film is heat sealed to form the balloon envelope comprising multiple gores. The resulting balloon envelope exhibits superior characteristics including crystallinity greater than 50%, strength to weight ratio greater than 1 MPa/(dtg/cm.sup.3), thickness less than 1.5 mil, thermal emissivity less than 0.03 at 193K, and optical clarity greater than 95%. The manufacturing process may include water quenching to enhance optical clarity and dual electron beam treatment for uniform crosslinking throughout the film thickness.