Abstract: A dilatation balloon configured and formed to have a first inflation profile at a first pressure and a second inflation profile at a second higher pressure and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter including a stent mounting region. A stent disposed about the stent mounting region of the catheter, the stent having a distal end and a proximal end, the stent further having an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least one stent retaining sleeve having a first end overlying an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state, a second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The outside surface of the stent retaining sleeve being composed of a first material, at least a portion of the first end of the inside surface being composed of a second material. The first material having a first predetermined hardness, the second material having a second predetermined hardness, the second predetermined hardness having a higher durometer value than the first predetermined hardness.

Abstract: Medical balloons and balloon preforms are made by methods which include the step of selectively removing material from the proximal and/or distal ends of a segment. In the case of a thermoplastic material characterized by one or more glass transition temperatures, the segment may optionally be maintained at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the segment during the material removal step.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon configured and formed to have a first inflation profile at a first pressure and a second inflation profile at a second higher pressure and methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A tubular member comprises a balloon having a body portion positioned between a first end and a second end. The body portion is constructed from an extruded matrix material and at least one stripe of a second extruded material. The at least one stripe is at least partially disposed within the matrix material. The proximal end and the distal end are constructed from the matrix material.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a portion of a medical device comprises the following steps. Provide a medical device having components which are adjacent to each other. a first portion of a component constructed and arranged to at least partially absorb a predetermined wavelength of energy. A second portion of a component being substantially transparent to the predetermined wavelength of energy. Transmit the predetermined wavelength of energy through the second portion and expose the first portion to the energy. The first portion being heated as a result of substantially absorbing the energy. Transmit heat from the first portion to at least one adjacent portion of the components. Melt the first portion and the at least one adjacent portion. Removing the energy from the first portion. A bond being formed between the first portion and the second portion by allowing the portions to cool together.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprising nanocomposite materials. By utilizing nanocomposites in the production thereof, the inventive medical devices can be produced with various advantageous properties. Methods of producing the inventive medical devices are also provided. Inasmuch as the inventive devices are expected to provide certain advantages in their use, there is also provide a method of medical care including methods of treatment or diagnosis, wherein the inventive devices are brought into therapeutic contact with a body to be treated or diagnosed thereby.

Abstract: A catheter shaft in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a support member including a distal end, a proximal end, and a plurality of elongate flanges extending therebetween. Each elongate flange has a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end of each flange being fixed to a central portion of the elongate support member. In a preferred embodiment, a sheath is disposed about the support member of the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter involving the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. The addition of this drying step to the balloon forming method has been observed to cause a reduction in the frequency of balloons which are rejected because of visible defects in the balloon wall, while producing the same or higher average wall strengths in the non-defective balloons obtained.

Abstract: A stent delivery system comprising a catheter. The catheter including a stent mounting region and a stent disposed thereabout. The stent having a distal end and a proximal end, and an unexpanded state and an expanded state. At least one stent retaining sleeve, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end overlays an end of the stent when the stent is in the unexpanded state. The second end engaged to at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the stent mounting region. The stent retaining sleeve(s) comprising a first material and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented fiber of a second material. The first material having a predetermined tensile modulus and the second material having a predetermined tensile modulus, wherein the predetermined tensile modulus of the second material is greater than that of the first material.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter may utilize the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. Other process steps by which balloon cone and waist thicknesses may be reduced involve varying the axial tension and blowing pressure at several stages as a mold containing the balloon preform is dipped into a heating medium. Specifically, tubing of a thermoplastic material is placed in a mold and blown by pressurizing and tensioning the tubing and gradually dipping the mold into a heated heat transfer media so as to sequentially blow a first waist, a body and a second waist portion. The tubing is subjected to a relatively lower pressure while the body portion is blown than while the first and second waist portions are blown.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter involving the steps of extruding a segment of thermoplastic material, maintaining the center portion at a temperature below the glass transition of the thermoplastic material, drawing the segment to a predetermined length, wherein after the drawing the wall thickness of the center portion does not appreciably change, and expanding the segment in a mold to produce the balloon.

Abstract: A soft flexible tipped balloon for a medical device, the balloon comprising a first balloon segment made of a first polymer material, a second balloon segment made of a second polymer material, the second polymer material different from the first polymer material, and a third balloon segment made of a third polymer material, the third polymer material different from the second polymer material and optionally different from the first polymer material, the segments arranged sequentially along the length of the balloon and processes of making the same.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter involving the steps of extruding a segment of thermoplastic material, maintaining the center portion at a temperature below the glass transition of the thermoplastic material, drawing the segment to a predetermined length, wherein after the drawing the wall thickness of the center portion does not appreciably change, and expanding the segment in a mold to produce the balloon.

Abstract: A method for forming a balloon for a dilatation catheter may utilize the steps of extruding a tubing preform of a polyester resin and then blowing the tubing into an oriented balloon, wherein the tubing preform is dried prior to blowing into the balloon form. Other process steps by which balloon cone and waist thicknesses may be reduced involve varying the axial tension and blowing pressure at several stages as a mold containing the balloon preform is dipped into a heating medium. Specifically, tubing of a thermoplastic material is placed in a mold and blown by pressurizing and tensioning the tubing and gradually dipping the mold into a heated heat transfer media so as to sequentially blow a first waist, a body and a second waist portion. The tubing is subjected to a relatively lower pressure while the body portion is blown than while the first and second waist portions are blown.