Catheter Having Internal Mechanisms to Encourage Balloon Re-folding

Abstract

A balloon catheter that comprises an inner shaft, a balloon and a sleeve that defines a lumen. A portion of the inner shaft is positioned within the lumen and the balloon is engaged to the sleeve at least two engagement points.

1 . A balloon catheter, the balloon catheter comprising an inner shaft, a balloon and a sleeve, the sleeve positioned between the inner shaft and the balloon, the sleeve defining a lumen, a first portion of the inner shaft positioned within the lumen defined by the sleeve, the balloon engaged to the sleeve at least two engagement regions. 
     
     
         2 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has an outer surface, the outer surface having a layer, wherein the layer is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of thermoplastic pressure sensitive adhesives, thermoplastic adhesives, thermoplastic pressure sensitive adhesives, water based pressure sensitive adhesives, thermoset adhesives, UV curable adhesive compounds, moisture curable compositions, two-component curing systems and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon has an inner surface, the inner surface of the balloon having a layer, wherein the layer is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of thermoplastic pressure sensitive adhesives, thermoplastic adhesives, thermoplastic pressure sensitive adhesives, water based pressure sensitive adhesives, thermoset adhesives, UV curable adhesive compounds, moisture curable compositions, two-component curing systems and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement regions form at least two lobes, each lobe formed by a length of the balloon, the length of each lobe the same. 
     
     
         5 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two engagement regions extend along a longitudinal length of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement regions are three engagement regions positioned in a symmetrical manner about the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The balloon catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the three engagement regions give the balloon a propeller like configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The balloon catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the symmetrically placed engagement regions cause the symmetrical re-folding of the balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The balloon catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the symmetrically placed engagement regions lower withdrawal and re-cross forces. 
     
     
         10 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is coextruded with either thermoplastic adhesives, thermoplastic pressure sensitive adhesives, water based pressure sensitive adhesives, or thermoset adhesives. 
     
     
         11 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement regions are formed by heat bonding the balloon and the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two engagement regions are formed by crimping the balloon onto the sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer shaft, the outer shaft defining an inflation lumen, the inflation lumen in fluid communication with the balloon, a second portion of the inner shaft being positioned within the lumen defined by the outer shaft, the balloon having a first end region and a second end region, the first end region engaged to the outer shaft and the second end region engaged to the inner shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1 , the balloon catheter comprising:
 a first state wherein the sleeve has a first diameter, and the balloon has at least two lobes;   a second state wherein the sleeve has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter and the balloon has at least two lobes; and   a third state wherein the sleeve has a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter and the balloon has a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration and an expanded diameter, the expanded diameter of the balloon being greater than the third diameter of the sleeve.   
     
     
         15 . A balloon catheter, the balloon catheter comprising a balloon, an inner shaft, and at least one member, the balloon having an interior surface and defining a lumen, the inner shaft positioned with the lumen of the balloon, the at least one member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being engaged to the inner shaft by an engagement member, the at least one member having a first state and a second state, the second portion of at least one member being engaged to the interior surface of the balloon only when the at least one member is in the second state. 
     
     
         16 . The balloon catheter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one member is selected from the group consisting of a biasing member or a prong. 
     
     
         17 . A balloon catheter, the balloon catheter comprising a balloon, an inner shaft, and a first member, the balloon having an interior surface and defining a lumen, the inner shaft positioned within the lumen of the balloon, a first portion of the first member being engaged to the interior surface of the balloon at an engagement point, the first member having a first state and a second state, the first portion of the first member having a first position relative to the inner shaft when the first member is in the first state and a second position relative to the inner shaft when the first member is in the second state, the second position being closer to the inner shaft than the first position. 
     
     
         18 . The balloon catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the first member is selected from the group consisting of a coil, a tether, or a ring.