Multiple-wing balloon catheter and membrane to reduce damage to coated expandable medical implants

Abstract

System for reducing the damage to a coated medical implant during the expansion of the coated implant is provided. The system may include a coated medical implant, a multi-wing balloon catheter having at least four expandable wings, and an expandable membrane positioned between the balloon and the medical implant.

1 . A balloon catheter and medical implant system comprising: 
 a catheter having an expandable balloon at a distal end of the catheter, the balloon having a plurality of expandable folds;    an elastic membrane positioned around the expandable balloon, the elastic membrane having a coating on at least one of its surfaces; and    an expandable medical implant positioned around the elastic membrane, the expandable medical implant having a coating on an internal surface facing the elastic membrane.    
     
     
         2 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the elastic membrane is coated on an inside surface and an outside surface.  
     
     
         3 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the coating of the expandable medical implant contains a therapeutic.  
     
     
         4 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the membrane comprises latex.  
     
     
         5 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the expandable balloon has a polished surface.  
     
     
         6 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the membrane has a uniform thickness.  
     
     
         7 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the membrane defines an unbroken tube around the balloon.  
     
     
         8 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 7  wherein the internal surface of the membrane is continuous and uniform.  
     
     
         9 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the expandable folds of the balloon rotate as the balloon expands.  
     
     
         10 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the balloon has five expandable folds.  
     
     
         11 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the coating of the medical implant is in contact with the coating of the membrane.  
     
     
         12 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the coating membrane is coated on an internal surface facing the balloon and an external surface facing the medical implant.  
     
     
         13 . The catheter and implant system of  claim 1  wherein the membrane is deformable.