Multilayer balloon catheter

Abstract

Multilayer medical devices, apparatuses for making such devices, and methods of making such devices are disclosed.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . An extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article, comprising: 
 a first section;    a second section; and    a plurality of discs between the first and second sections, each of the discs having at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction,    wherein a thickness of at least one of the discs in the flow direction is about one inch or less, and the passageway of at least one of the discs is spiral shaped.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the passageway of each disc is spiral shaped.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.75 inch or less.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.5 inch or less.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.4 inch or less.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.3 inch or less.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.2 inch or less.  
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.15 inch or less.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.1 inch or less.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein each of the discs has a thickness in the flow direction that is about one inch or less.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus is a disc head extrusion apparatus.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be used in the fabrication of an article selected from the group consisting of multilayer medical balloons, multilayer tubes, and multilayer catheter shafts.  
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be used in the fabrication of a multilayer medical balloon.  
     
     
         47 . An extrusion apparatus for making a multilayer article, comprising: 
 a first section;    a second section; and    a plurality of discs between the first and second sections, each of the discs having at least one passageway configured to permit fluid flow therethrough in a flow direction,    wherein a thickness of at least one of the discs in the flow direction is about one inch or less, and at least one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.    
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein all but one of the discs includes a cone shaped portion extending substantially parallel to the flow direction.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.75 inch or less.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.5 inch or less.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.4 inch or less.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.3 inch or less.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.2 inch or less.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.15 inch or less.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the thickness of the at least one disc in the flow direction is about 0.1 inch or less.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein each of the discs has a thickness in the flow direction that is about one inch or less.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the apparatus is a disc head extrusion apparatus.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be used in the fabrication of an article selected from the group consisting of multilayer medial balloons, multilayer tubes and catheter shafts.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be used in the fabrication of a multilayer medical balloon.  
     
     
         60 - 74 . (canceled)