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:
Sep. 04, 2012
Filed:
Jul. 26, 2010
Josef J. Stupecky, Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Josef J. Stupecky, Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Interface Associates, Inc., Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Abstract
A balloon folding apparatus is provided for use in the manufacture of balloon catheters. The balloon folding apparatus includes a plurality of arms and a plurality of blades attached to the plurality of arms such that the plurality of blades is capable of translating in a radial direction. Preferably, a plurality of stepper motors coupled to the plurality of arms provides precise radial movement of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of blades is profiled to create a plurality of folds in a balloon catheter. A balloon wrapping apparatus is also provided and operates in a similar manner. The balloon wrapping apparatus includes a plurality of blades configured to wrap a folded balloon catheter around a catheter shaft so as to minimize the diameter of the balloon catheter.