The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 1987
Filed:
May. 21, 1985
George E Cho, Natick, MA (US);
Stephen B Kessler, Gloucester, MA (US);
Kontron Inc., Everett, MA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for wrapping a balloon catheter such as an intra-aortic balloon catheter is disclosed. The wrapping apparatus comprises a housing having a channel which receives the balloon membrane of the intra-aortic balloon. The wrapping apparatus also includes a clutching means located in the channel for exerting a predetermined pressure on the balloon membrane to enable the balloon membrane to be wrapped as the wrapping apparatus is rotated relative to the balloon catheter. The clutching means also permits relatively free rotation of the balloon membrane within the wrapping apparatus after the balloon membrane has been wrapped. The clutching means can include a shoe and a biasing means for biasing the shoe towards the balloon membrane with a predetermined pressure while the balloon membrane is being wrapped, yet enable the balloon membrane to rotate relatively freely within the wrapping apparatus after the balloon membrane has been wrapped to a predetermined degree. The clutching means, alternatively, can include flexible vanes projecting inwardly within the channel such that the vanes contact the balloon membrane during wrapping and provide a predetermined pressure onto the balloon membrane which aids in wrapping yet permits the wrapped balloon membrane to rotate relatively freely within the wrapping apparatus.