Balloon folding design with concave side regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved folding and refolding characteristics of medical balloons equipped with atherotomes, which are used in angioplasty and stent delivery procedures, as existing methods do not adequately facilitate uniform folding and re-folding, especially in tortuous anatomies.
Innovation Solution
The medical balloon is designed with a body section, tapered sections, and waist sections, featuring concave side regions that curve towards the longitudinal axis, allowing for improved folding and refolding capabilities, and can be formed from homogeneous polymer materials to maintain structural integrity during inflation and deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the balloon wall thickness is reduced to achieve a low profile, then the outer diameter of the distal end portion is reduced, but the folding and refolding characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is divided into multiple longitudinal segments separated by transverse folds. These segments can independently fold and unfold, enabling the balloon to achieve a low profile while maintaining good folding and refolding characteristics. The segmentation allows each portion to collapse uniformly without requiring excessive wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces transverse folds that create a multi-dimensional folding pattern. Instead of simple axial compression, the balloon folds in both longitudinal and transverse directions, creating a compact structure that maintains low profile while improving refolding characteristics through the additional dimensional freedom.
2Area of moving object
If the balloon is folded to reduce cross sectional area, then the profile is reduced for delivery, but the refolding uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is segmented into multiple longitudinal sections by transverse folds, creating discrete folding units. This segmentation ensures uniform refolding by allowing each section to collapse independently and predictably, preventing uneven folding patterns that would occur in a continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the balloon are designed with localized folding characteristics. The transverse folds create regions with different folding behaviors, allowing the balloon to achieve uniform overall folding while accommodating local variations in the vessel anatomy during delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If atherotomes are integrated onto the balloon surface, then the cutting function is enhanced, but the folding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The atherotomes are distributed across segmented portions of the balloon created by transverse folds. This segmentation allows the cutting elements to be organized in modular sections, reducing folding complexity while maintaining enhanced cutting function. Each segment with atherotomes can fold independently without creating excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The atherotomes are positioned asymmetrically on the balloon surface, concentrated in specific regions rather than uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement enhances the cutting function in areas most needed during angioplasty procedures while simplifying the folding process by reducing the total number of elements that must be accommodated during collapse.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical balloon (10) having a body section (16) , a first tapered section (14) and a second tapered section (14) , waist sections (12) , and a longitudinal axis, the balloon having a static state and an expanded state, the balloon configured and formed such that in the static state at least the body section of the balloon has a plurality of concave side regions (15) extending between the first tapered section and the second tapered section, each concave side region curving toward the longitudinal axis of the balloon, and in the expanded state, the body section having a substantially cylindrical configuration .