Blow Molded Balloon Shoulder Assembly for Transcatheter Delivery

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional injection molded balloon shoulders for balloon catheters are difficult to manufacture and cause gaps and increased retrieval forces due to their stiffness and thickness, leading to potential damage during navigation through the body's vasculature.

Innovation Solution

The use of blow molded balloon shoulders, which are hollow, compressible, and less bulky, allowing for easier insertion and maneuverability, and can be either inflatable or non-inflatable, providing structural support while reducing the risk of damage to the delivery system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If injection molded balloon shoulders are used, then structural support is provided, but manufacturing difficulty increases and gaps form during navigation

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the manufacturing method from injection molding to blow molding, which fundamentally alters the physical and mechanical parameters of the balloon shoulder material. This process change enables the formation of hollow, thinner-walled structures that are more flexible and easier to manufacture while maintaining adequate structural support for the balloon catheter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The blow molded balloon shoulders are designed with thinner walls and hollow interiors compared to traditional injection molded shoulders. This thin-film structure provides the necessary structural support while being more flexible and compliant, allowing the assembly to navigate through curved vasculature without forming gaps between the shoulder and the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If injection molded balloon shoulders are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but retrieval forces increase and damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blow molding process creates balloon shoulders with different mechanical properties compared to injection molding. The resulting material has reduced stiffness and hardness parameters while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. This parameter change allows the balloon shoulder to be more compliant during retrieval, reducing friction and forces required to pull the delivery catheter through the sheath and vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of rigid, thick-walled shoulders that cause high retrieval forces into a benefit by using blow molded thinner-walled shoulders. These modified shoulders maintain structural integrity during deployment but become more compliant during retrieval, effectively converting the structural strength into a dual-function component that protects against damage during both deployment and retrieval phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If blow molded balloon shoulders are used, then ease of manufacture and maneuverability improve, but structural support may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The blow molded balloon shoulders utilize thin-film technology to create hollow, lightweight structures that are easy to manufacture and insert into the balloon catheter. Despite the thinner walls, the hollow structure provides adequate structural support through its geometric design and material selection, balancing manufacturability with functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The blow molded balloon shoulders are designed to be dynamically adaptive, changing their structural characteristics based on operational phase. During manufacturing and insertion, their lighter weight and flexibility provide ease of handling. During balloon inflation and valve deployment, the structure maintains sufficient rigidity to provide the necessary support, demonstrating dynamic adaptation to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The blow molded balloon shoulders enhance the ease of manufacturing and navigation of balloon catheters, reduce retrieval forces, and minimize damage to the delivery system, while maintaining structural integrity and supporting the main balloon effectively.

Implementation Method 1

each of the proximal balloon shoulder and the distal balloon shoulder are hollow and comprise a compressible, blow molded material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressibility: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the blow molded balloon shoulders may be inflatable with various fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4051177B1Blow molded balloon shoulder assembly for a transcatheter delivery device

Publication Date: 2024.12.18

Figure 1~2B
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AI summary

A balloon shoulder assembly for a transcatheter delivery device, such as a balloon catheter, is disclosed. The balloon shoulder assembly includes a proximal balloon shoulder including a proximal collar portion that extends radially outward from a proximal shaft portion, relative to a central axis of the balloon shoulder assembly and a distal balloon shoulder including a distal collar portion that extends radially outward from a distal shaft portion. Each of the proximal balloon shoulder and the distal balloon shoulder are hollow and comprise a compressible, blow molded material.