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:
Dec. 26, 1995
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1995
Andrew J Campbell, Reading, MA (US);
Ralph J Barry, Jr, Hudson, MA (US);
Boston Scientific Corp., Natick, MA (US);
Abstract
An inflatable medical balloon (40) at its distal end for introduction into a body part especially through an endoscope (46) and method of making the balloon. When fully inflated, the balloon (40) is a continuous body of balloon material (which may be formed of one or more polymeric layers) with a generally cylindrical shape and four ribs (44) formed in the body. The ribs (44) are longitudinally and equidistantly arranged around an axis (A) which extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the balloon (40). The ribs (44) are formed of stressed balloon material. Webs (45) of less stressed balloon material are disposed between the ribs (44), the ribs and the webs forming the balloon (40) and being expandable from a folded condition for insertion into the body part to an expanded condition with a generally cylindrical shape and a diameter substantially greater than the folded condition whereby to provide medical treatment and, after treatment, being revertible into a folded condition of predetermined configuration with the webs (45) between the ribs (44) collapsing inwardly towards the axis (A). The balloon with its ribs is made by placing an untensioned balloon in a mold (15) having a square cross section with pyramidal end members (3). The mold is heated and balloon is inflated to form ribs (44) of stressed balloon material with webs (45) of less stressed material between them.