REDUCTION IN DIAMETER

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing the outer diameter of the balloon (1) of a balloon catheter in the non-expanded state, wherein at least one restriction element (3) is applied to at least a portion of the balloon (1) of the balloon catheter. In this way, the outer diameter of the balloon (1) is thus reduced and, moreover, its flexibility increased.

Claims

1. Method for reducing the outer diameter of the balloon of a balloon catheter in the non-expanded state, comprising the following steps: (A) Provision of a balloon catheter; (B) Attaching at least one restriction element to at least a portion of the balloon of the balloon catheter; (C) Passing the balloon prepared in accordance with step (B) through an opening; and (D) Applying a sheath to the balloon.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein step (C) is repeated until the desired outer diameter of the balloon is achieved.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the restriction elements are removed from the balloon in an additional step (C1), namely after step (C) and before step (D).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the steps (B) to (C1) are repeated until the desired outer diameter of the balloon (1) is achieved.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the balloon is provided with folds before applying the restriction elements pursuant to step (B).

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein in a step (B1) a sleeve, the length of which amounts to at least the length of the balloon, is slid over the prepared balloon, said step (B1) being carried out after step (B) but before step (C).

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein bands and/or rings are provided as restriction elements.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the attachment/arrangement of the bands is carried out spirally, screw-like, helically or in the form of rings.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the balloon catheter is provided with a lumen for a guidewire extending at least through the balloon, wherein during step (C), preferably during steps (B) and (C) as well as (B1), if applicable, the guidewire passes through the lumen.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the restriction elements are made wholly or in part of polytetrafluoroethylene.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the restriction elements have a width of ≥2 mm.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the restriction elements have a width ranging between 0.5 and 2 cm.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the individual turns/windings of the band or the individual rings ranges between 0.5 and 7 mm.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the distance between the individual turns/windings of the band or the individual rings ranges between 1 and 5 mm.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein the opening has a tapered configuration, with a larger first inner diameter at the first end where the prepared balloon is introduced into the opening, and with a smaller second inner diameter at the second end through which the prepared balloon exits the opening.

16. Balloon catheter which is obtainable by a method according to claim 1.

Description

[0061] Further elucidation of the invention is provided by way of examples through the enclosed figures. It should be noted that the figures show preferred embodiment variants of the invention, but the invention itself shall not be limited thereto. To the extent it is technically expedient, the invention comprises, in particular, any optional combinations of the technical features that are stated in the claims or in the description as being relevant to the invention.

[0062] Elucidation of the invention is provided by the following figures where

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a balloon of a balloon catheter provided with band-shaped restriction elements;

[0064] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the balloon according to FIG. 1 after tightening of the band-shaped restriction elements;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows the balloon according to FIG. 2 having been passed through an opening;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a balloon of a balloon catheter provided with ring-shaped restriction elements;

[0067] FIG. 5 illustrates the balloon according to FIG. 4 after tightening of the ring-shaped restriction elements, and

[0068] FIG. 6 shows the balloon according to FIG. 5 having been passed through an opening.

[0069] FIG. 1 shows a part of a balloon catheter, namely the catheter shaft 2 with the balloon 1 arranged at the distal end. A band 3, preferably made of PTFE material, is placed around the balloon 1 as a restriction element, resulting in a plurality of turns/windings 4.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows the balloon 1 from FIG. 1, but after the band-shaped restriction element 3 and the turns/windings 4 placed around the balloon 1 have been tightened. This already will cause the outer diameter of the balloon 1 to be significantly reduced, which, however, is still not sufficient.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows the result after passing the balloon 1 with a band-shaped restriction element 3 placed in turns/windings 4 through an opening not shown here. It can be seen that the outer diameter of the balloon 1 was reduced considerably. Subsequently, the band-shaped restriction element 3 can be removed and the balloon 1 be provided with a sheath as a protector.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a part of a balloon catheter, namely the catheter shaft 2 with the balloon 1 arranged at the distal end. A plurality of ring-shaped restriction elements 3, preferably made of PTFE material, is placed around the balloon 1.

[0073] In FIG. 5 the balloon 1 from FIG. 4 is illustrated, however after the ring-shaped restriction elements 3 placed around the balloon 1 have contracted and as a result widened slightly. This already will cause the outer diameter of the balloon 1 to be significantly reduced, which, however, is still not sufficient.

[0074] FIG. 6 shows the result after passing the balloon 1 with the ring-shaped restriction elements 3 through an opening not shown here. It can be seen that the outer diameter of the balloon 1 was reduced considerably. Subsequently, the ring-shaped restriction element 3 can be removed and the balloon 1 be provided with a sheath as a protector.