Adjustable Molding Iris for Balloon Catheter Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current balloon catheter production is labor-intensive and requires dedicated molds for each balloon configuration, limiting flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing various sizes and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method using an adjustable molding iris formed by movable blade members that can change size to accommodate different balloon configurations, allowing for the blow molding of balloons with varying dimensions and shapes within a single system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dedicated molds are used for each balloon configuration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mold system employs movable blade members that can dynamically adjust their positions to change the molding cavity configuration. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single mold system to produce multiple balloon configurations without requiring multiple dedicated molds, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled positioning of the blade members.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold system is designed with universal functionality to produce various balloon configurations using a single multi-functional apparatus. The movable blade members can be repositioned to create different cavity shapes and sizes, enabling one mold system to perform the functions previously requiring multiple dedicated molds, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated molds are used for each balloon configuration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustability of the movable blade members enables rapid reconfiguration of the molding cavity between different balloon specifications. This eliminates the time-consuming process of changing entire molds, allowing quick transitions between production runs of different balloon types while maintaining precise configuration control, thereby significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable blade members can be pre-positioned to the required configuration before the actual molding process begins. This preliminary setup allows for rapid changeovers between different balloon specifications without disrupting the molding cycle itself, enabling efficient production scheduling and improved overall productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable molding iris is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable molding iris consists of movable blade members that can be independently positioned to create various cavity configurations. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides high adaptability for producing different balloon types while keeping the overall system relatively simple through the use of straightforward mechanical positioning rather than complex automated systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the efficient production of balloon catheters with different sizes and configurations without the need for multiple molds, improving manufacturing flexibility and reducing production time and labor.
Implementation Method 1
Heat applied to the exterior of the die softens material of the elongate body to facilitate its plastic deformation during blow molding
Implementation Method 2
pressurized air is supplied to the elongate tubular body to blow mold a balloon therein... plastically deforming a segment of the elongate body formed by the softened material
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Making a balloon catheter includes increasing a temperature of material forming an elongate body positioned within a cavity in an adjustable molding iris (16), and increasing a fluid pressure within a lumen (66) extending through the elongate body. A segment of the elongate body is plastically deformed in response to the increased fluid pressure, and limited in outward expansion via contacting movable blade members (14) forming the adjustable molding iris.