Robert E O'Brien

US Patent:

58657215, Feb 2, 1999

Filed:

Jun 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658386

Inventors:

Robert R. Andrews - Norfolk MA
William Edelman - Sharon MA
Joseph A. Levendusky - Groton MA
Robert L. O'Brien - Rindge NH

Assignee:

C. R. Bard, Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

A61N 1362

US Classification:

600 18

Abstract:

An intra-aortic balloon pump catheter includes an inner lumen formed by a thin walled superelastic metal alloy tube, namely of nitinol, with an inside diameter sufficient for a guidewire and a small outside diameter which allows reduction of the outer lumen and related components by at least one size French while providing gas shuttle capacity between the lumens for conventional intra-aortic balloon pump operation. The outer lumen is a tube formed of co-extruded plastics to enhance the size reduction and capacity goals, with an inner nylon portion for strength and a relatively thin polyurethane outer portion for biocompatability, flexibility and compatibility for bonding to a thin polyurethane balloon. The proximal end sleeve of the balloon is stretched and then stress-relieved by heating with an internal heater on a mounting mandrel to effect a desired small diameter sizing. A radiopaque metal marker ring of nitinol also is provided to improve imaging capabilities while being compatible with the lumen materials.

US Patent:

57188610, Feb 17, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/484894

Inventors:

Robert R. Andrews - Norfolk MA
William Edelman - Sharon MA
Joseph A. Levendusky - Groton MA
Peter T. Majeski - Cambridge MA
Robert L. O'Brien - Rindge NH

Assignee:

C. R. Bard, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4114
B29C 7102

US Classification:

264235

Abstract:

A method of forming intra-aortic balloons includes forming a balloon blank having a sleeve section at its proximal end. To reduce the diameter of the sleeve section of the balloon, the sleeve section is stretched longitudinally by gripping a first portion of the balloon blank at the distal end of the sleeve section, gripping a second portion of the balloon blank at the opposite end of the sleeve section and moving at least one of the gripped portions away from the other so as to reduce the diameter of the sleeve section. A heating element is positioned within the sleeve section to relieve the stress in the sleeve after stretching, by heating the sleeve section. The sleeve section is then cooled in order to preserve the sleeve section in its reduced diameter state thereby forming an intra-aortic balloon having a balloon blank with a reduced diameter sleeve section.