Catheter Balloon Block Copolymer Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter balloons for angioplasty lack optimal compliance characteristics, which are crucial for effective adaptation to the arterial system and repeated mechanical stresses during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
The development of catheter balloons made from block copolymers with polyester-amide blocks, specifically using modified polyamide segments and dimer diols, which provide high flexibility, tensile strength, and resistance to hydrolysis, enhancing compliance and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional polymer materials are used for catheter balloons, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but compliance characteristics and adaptability to the arterial system are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyamide blocks with polyester blocks containing dimer diols to create a block copolymer structure. This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the strength of polyamide and the flexibility/compliance of polyester, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and material simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polymer material by incorporating specific dimer diols (with molecular weights between 400-2000) and controlling the ratio of polyamide to polyester blocks. These parameter changes in the molecular structure directly improve compliance characteristics while maintaining manufacturability through standard polymer processing techniques.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the balloon material is made more flexible to improve compliance, then adaptability to artery system improves, but tensile strength and resistance to stretching may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The block copolymer structure combines polyamide segments (providing tensile strength and resistance to stretching) with polyester segments containing dimer diols (providing flexibility and compliance). This composite architecture allows simultaneous optimization of both strength and compliance properties that cannot be achieved with single-material systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the polymer chain have different functional properties: the polyamide blocks provide structural strength and resistance to deformation, while the polyester blocks with dimer diols provide flexibility and compliance. This local differentiation of material properties within the same polymer structure resolves the contradiction between strength and compliance.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the balloon is designed to withstand repeated inflations and deflations, then durability improves, but the material may exhibit degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The block copolymer structure provides durability through the synergistic combination of polyamide (offering mechanical strength and resistance to fatigue) and polyester (offering chemical stability and resistance to hydrolysis). This composite structure maintains its properties over repeated inflation-deflation cycles and prolonged storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a polymer material specifically suited for single-use disposable balloons, optimizing the material structure to achieve maximum durability and reliability during its service life. The block copolymer composition ensures the balloon maintains its mechanical properties throughout the procedure and during storage, making it suitable for repeated use within its intended disposable lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a balloon for medical devices, in particular for catheters used in angioplasty, comprising a polyamide copolymer material characterized in that said polyamide copolymer material is represented by the general formula (I):HO—(PF—OOC—PA-COO—PF—COO—PA)n-COOHin which PA is a polyamide segment and PF is a diol segment comprising dimer diols and/or corresponding OH-terminating diol polyesters and n is a number between 5 and 20.