Articulated Medical Balloon via Heat-Sealed Compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-pressure medical balloons face challenges in achieving asymmetric inflation and desired shapes for specific medical procedures, requiring complex fabrication methods such as prestretching or varying wall thickness to articulate and maintain shape during in vivo use.
Innovation Solution
A method involving at least two layers of thermoplastic film sealed at their edges and heat sealed at specific locations to form compartments and subcompartments, allowing the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with varying thickness or modulus of elasticity, and dimensioned channels to achieve the required shape for medical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the balloon material is prestretched or the balloon has discrete portions which are overinflated to achieve the desired final shape, then the balloon can articulate to the desired shape upon inflation, but the fabrication methodology becomes involved and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is divided into multiple discrete portions or segments that can be independently controlled during inflation. Each segment can be overinflated relative to others to achieve the desired articulated shape, eliminating the need for complex prestretching operations while maintaining shape control
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the balloon are given different wall thicknesses or material properties so that when inflated, they expand at different rates to achieve the desired shape. This local differentiation is achieved through simple fabrication processes rather than complex prestretching
2Shape
If particular selected balloon material is precured to achieve the desired shape upon inflation, then the balloon assumes the precured shape, but the fabrication process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon material is prepared in advance with predetermined wall thickness variations or structural features, but the actual shaping occurs during inflation rather than requiring precuring. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall process compared to traditional precuring methods
3Shape
If the balloon has varying wall thickness at different locations to expand at different rates and achieve different shaped portions, then the desired asymmetric shape is achieved, but the fabrication methodology becomes involved
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is constructed with non-uniform wall thickness distribution during the fabrication process. By controlling the extrusion or forming parameters, different sections of the balloon achieve different wall thicknesses that enable asymmetric expansion during inflation, all through a single continuous fabrication process rather than complex multi-step methods
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 creation of medical balloons that can articulate to specific shapes upon inflation, enhancing their functionality in procedures like angioplasty and prostate treatments without the need for complex fabrication, by using thermoplastic film layers with different properties and heat-sealed channels.
Implementation Method 1
heat sealed at one or more locations inside the area enclosed by the sealed edge
Implementation Method 2
the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabrication of a medical balloon, and a balloon device useful for various medical balloon procedures, such as gastrointestinal, vascular, reproductive system, urinary system and pulmonary applications. At least two layers of a thermoplastic film are sealed at their peripheral edges and heat sealed at one or more locations inside an area enclosed by the sealed edges at predetermined locations, in one implementation of the balloon device. Such configuration enables the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with the desired shape being selected to accommodate a specific medical application.