Inverted balloon neck on catheter

Abstract

A method for thermal bonding of an inverted balloon neck on a catheter, including placing an inverted balloon neck ( 84 ) on a shaft ( 86 ) of a catheter, and characterized by applying heat at an internal hollow ( 85 ) of the shaft ( 86 ) where the inverted balloon neck ( 84 ) is placed, while applying internal pressure to attach an external surface of the shaft ( 86 ) to the inverted balloon neck ( 84 ).

1 . A method for thermal bonding of an inverted balloon neck on a catheter, comprising:
 placing an inverted balloon neck ( 84 ) on a shaft ( 86 ) of a catheter; and   characterized by applying heat at an internal hollow ( 85 ) of said shaft ( 86 ) where said inverted balloon neck ( 84 ) is placed, while applying internal pressure to attach an external surface of said shaft ( 86 ) to said inverted balloon neck ( 84 ).   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein applying internal pressure comprises inserting a probe ( 90 ), which has a protrusion ( 92 ), into the hollow ( 85 ) of said shaft ( 86 ), said protrusion ( 92 ) having a larger diameter than the hollow ( 85 ) of said shaft ( 86 ). 
     
     
         3 . A lumen reentry device ( 10 ) comprising:
 a catheter ( 12 ) which has a balloon ( 14 ) disposed at a distal end thereof, said catheter ( 12 ) being formed with a first lumen ( 16 ) through said balloon ( 14 ) for passing therethrough a first guidewire ( 18 ), and a second lumen ( 20 ) for inflation and deflation of said balloon ( 14 ), wherein said catheter ( 12 ) comprises an internal tube ( 33 ) disposed in and distally extending from an external tube ( 32 ), said internal tube ( 33 ) being softer than said external tube ( 32 ), and wherein a distal end of said external tube ( 32 ) defines a balloon bending point;   characterized by a strain-reducing element mounted in catheter ( 12 ) that reduces strain on a distal portion of said balloon ( 14 ) during inflation of said balloon ( 14 ).   
     
     
         4 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said strain-reducing element comprises a C ring ( 35 ) attached to said internal tube ( 33 ) and said external tube ( 32 ) that connects said internal tube ( 33 ) and said external tube ( 32 ) together, wherein a space in said C ring ( 35 ) prevents blockage of said second lumen ( 20 ). 
     
     
         5 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said strain-reducing element comprises a ring ( 34 ), mounted at a distal end of said internal tube ( 33 ) and a distal end of said balloon ( 14 ). 
     
     
         6 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said ring ( 34 ) is radiopaque. 
     
     
         7 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said strain-reducing element comprises a flare ( 36 ) formed at a distal end ( 39 ) of said external tube ( 32 ), into which a proximal neck ( 14 P) of said balloon ( 14 ) is inserted, wherein during balloon inflation, said proximal neck ( 14 P) abuts against said flare ( 36 ). 
     
     
         8 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said catheter ( 12 ) comprises a weakened or softer bending section ( 22 ), located near a proximal end of said balloon ( 14 ). 
     
     
         9 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said catheter ( 40 ) comprises a third lumen ( 37 ) for passing therethrough a second guidewire ( 38 ). 
     
     
         10 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said third lumen ( 37 ) is a bulbous protrusion of a tube ( 41 ) placed over said external tube ( 32 ). 
     
     
         11 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said third lumen ( 37 ) is formed in a double lumen tube ( 42 ). 
     
     
         12 . A lumen reentry device ( 10 ) comprising:
 a catheter ( 40 ) which has a balloon ( 14 ) disposed at a distal end thereof, said catheter ( 40 ) being formed with a first lumen ( 16 ) through said balloon ( 14 ) for passing therethrough a first guidewire ( 18 ), and a second lumen ( 20 ) for inflation and deflation of said balloon ( 14 ), wherein said catheter ( 12 ) comprises an internal tube ( 33 ) disposed in and distally extending from an external tube ( 32 ), said internal tube ( 33 ) being softer than said external tube ( 32 ), and wherein a distal end of said external tube ( 32 ) defines a balloon bending point;   characterized in that said catheter ( 40 ) comprises a third lumen ( 37 ) for passing therethrough a second guidewire ( 38 ).   
     
     
         13 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein said third lumen ( 37 ) is a bulbous protrusion of a tube ( 41 ) placed over said external tube ( 32 ). 
     
     
         14 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein said third lumen ( 37 ) is formed in a double lumen tube ( 42 ). 
     
     
         15 . A lumen reentry device ( 10 ) comprising:
 a catheter ( 50 ) comprising balloon ( 14 ), a balloon lumen ( 51 ) and a guidewire lumen ( 52 ), said balloon lumen ( 51 ) not having a guidewire that passes therethrough;   characterized in that said catheter ( 50 ) has a groove ( 53 ) proximal and distal to said balloon ( 14 ) for a guidewire ( 54 ) to pass through said groove ( 53 ).   
     
     
         16 . The lumen reentry device ( 10 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein a bar or tube ( 55 ) is added inside said balloon lumen ( 51 ).