Reduced profile medical balloon element

Abstract

Medical dilatation balloons comprise a polymer that has the attribute of memory, and/or is crosslinked to impart memory. Such balloons exhibit a reduced tendency to overinflate at high inflation pressures. Furthermore, such balloons when shrunk radially by the application of heat while restraining axial shrinkage, exhibit customizable linear or non-linear compliance curves and lower crosslinking profile relative to the same balloon when unshrunk. Also disclosed is an expansive element within a tube whose outer diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the tube from which it was made. In addition, disclosed are (a) processes for preparing crosslinkable polymers, (b) joining crosslinked balloons to catheter systems, (c) forming shrunk balloon elements, and (d) forming an expansive element within a tube whose outer diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the tube from which it was made.

1 . A device comprising a polymer material with expansion memory in a configuration that radially expands when the device is heated from a first to a second temperature, and wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression. 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the device at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the device under axial restraint at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the polymer material is crosslinked. 
   
   
       5 . A medical device comprising a reduced size tubular polymer member with expansion memory in a configuration that radially expands when the medical device is heated from a first to a second temperature, and wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression. 
   
   
       6 . The medical device of  claim 5  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the medical device at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       7 . The medical device of  claim 5  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the medical device under axial restraint at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       8 . The medical device of  claim 5  wherein the polymer material is crosslinked. 
   
   
       9 . A stent comprising a polymer material with expansion memory in a configuration that radially expands when the stent is heated from a first to a second temperature, and wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression. 
   
   
       10 . The stent of  claim 9  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the device at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The stent of  claim 9  wherein the configuration is obtained by radial compression of the device under axial restraint at an elevated temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The stent of  claim 9  wherein the polymer material is crosslinked.