Abstract: A dilatation balloon formed of a first material and further including at least one first plasma polymerized layer which forms the top most surface of the balloon, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices are prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlayer balloon, encasing the web with a matrix material to form an assembly, and inserting the assembly into a preformed outer layer balloon to form the composite balloon.

Abstract: Described herein are medical balloons which contain one or more material regions that are configured to cause the balloons to preferentially fold into predetermined orientations upon deflation.

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: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device formed at least in part of a polymeric composition, and having a surface modified with covalently bonded fluorine, and a process for modifying the surface including the step of exposing the surface of the medical device to gaseous plasma sufficient to covalently bond fluorine to the surface.

Abstract: A medical device that has a sliding or peeling surface coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. The coating reduces sliding or peeling resistance. The coated substrates may be polymeric. The coating may be applied from a cold plasma of a hydrocarbon gas such as acetylene. Plasmas may be generated to deposit the coating on interior surfaces, exterior surfaces, or both.

Abstract: Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.

Abstract: Catheters, balloons, and methods of manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters using lasers are disclosed. A catheter with a shaft sized for use with a 0.014 inch guide wire includes a polymeric balloon having a body portion with an inflated outer diameter of more than 6 millimeters. An inflatable balloon includes an inflated outer diameter to inner waist diameter ratio of 12.5 to 1. An inflatable polymeric balloon that has a body portion with two regions that have different molecular orientations is also provided. A method of processing an elongate polymeric material includes heating a portion of the polymeric material with a laser while longitudinally stretching the portion of the polymeric material. A method of manufacturing a balloon includes heating and longitudinally stretching a first and second portion of an elongate polymeric tube to form first and second end portion. The remaining body portion is radially expanded to form the balloon.

Abstract: A balloon blowing process which involves radial expansion of an extruded tubing segment which has been subjected to a stretching step prior to radial expansion, the process utilizing an internal pressure and a temperature which together cause at least a portion of the tubing to expand to an interior diameter (ID) which is greater than the interior diameter of the extruded segment prior to extrusion.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as medical balloons, and methods of making the devices, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the balloons include a portion, e.g., a layer, that varies in thickness.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon formed of a first material and further including at least one first plasma polymerized layer which forms the top most surface of the balloon, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A basket strainer installation/removal tool has an internally threaded cylindrical passageway extending therethrough. A threaded shaft extends through the internally threaded passageway and has a conical cam at the lower end thereof. The conical cam forces radially extending cylindrical cams outwardly against the action of an elastomeric band encircling the lower end of the body to secure the tool into engagement with a basket strainer.

Abstract: A process for blowing a balloon from a tubular parison of a thermoplastic polymer material by radially expanding the parison at an elevated temperature and pressure, the process characterized in that: a) the polymer material includes a “H-bonding” polymer which undergoes interchain hydrogen bonding between at least some segments thereof; b) the parison is conditioned in a high moisture environment prior to blowing, and c) the balloon is blown after moisture conditioning of the parison and without an intervening drying thereof. H-bonding polymers may be polyamides, polyurethanes or block copolymers containing a polyamide or polyurethane block. The process reduces occurrence of fish eye defects in the formed balloons.

Abstract: A process for blowing a balloon from a tubular parison of a thermoplastic polymer material by radially expanding the parison at an elevated temperature and pressure, the process characterized in that: