Non-shortening wrapped balloon

Abstract

A non-shortening catheter balloon having a longitudinal axis and an inflatable balloon able to be affixed to a catheter shaft is provided. The balloon has an uninflated length which remains relatively unchanged upon inflation and is formed of least two helically oriented wrapped passes of balloon materials at a balanced force angle. Methods of making this balloon are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A balloon catheter comprising:
 a catheter shaft having a longitudinal axis and   a non-shortening radially symmetric inflatable balloon affixed to said shaft, said balloon having an uninflated length which remains relatively unchanged upon inflation and comprising at least two helically wrapped passes of helically oriented anisotropic balloon material.   
     
     
         2 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the length change upon inflation is less than 20 percent. 
     
     
         3 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the length change upon inflation is less than 10 percent. 
     
     
         4 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the length change upon inflation is less than 5 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein said helically wrapped passes of a first balloon material are bonded to each other through the application of heat. 
     
     
         6 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the first balloon material is mechanically stress relieved through annealing with heat in the inflated state. 
     
     
         7 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the helically wrapped passes of the first balloon material are oriented and balanced in opposite directions at an angle of less than or equal to about 55 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis and further comprising a second balloon material oriented at an angle of greater than or equal to about 55 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis in the inflated state. 
     
     
         8 . The balloon of  claim 7  wherein said helically wrapped passes of a first balloon material are bonded to the second balloon material through the application of heat. 
     
     
         9 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the helically wrapped passes are at a balanced force angle. 
     
     
         10 . The balloon of  claim 7  wherein the first balloon material is held at balanced force angle by second balloon material that is helically wrapped at an angle greater than 54 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The balloon of  claim 7  wherein the first balloon material is held at balanced force angle by second balloon material pass that is wrapped at an angle greater than 54 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The balloon of  claim 7  wherein the second balloon material is isotropic. 
     
     
         13 . The balloon of  claim 7  wherein the second balloon material is anisotropic. 
     
     
         14 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the un-inflated length is changed by less than 2% upon inflation. 
     
     
         15 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the balloon exhibits essentially radial symmetry upon inflation. 
     
     
         16 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the balloon exhibits equal hydrostatic force on a vessel wall in clinical use. 
     
     
         17 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a stent with uniform deployment capability. 
     
     
         18 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the balloon is non-compliant. 
     
     
         19 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the balloon is semi-compliant. 
     
     
         20 . A balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein said first balloon material or said second balloon material comprises a filler. 
     
     
         21 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the balloon materials comprises a porous reinforcing polymer. 
     
     
         22 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer comprises a fibrous reinforcement. 
     
     
         23 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is a PEEK. 
     
     
         24 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is a polyamide. 
     
     
         25 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is a polyurethane. 
     
     
         26 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is a polyester. 
     
     
         27 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         28 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is an olefin. 
     
     
         29 . The balloon of  claim 21  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is bio-resorbable. 
     
     
         30 . The balloon of  claim 22  wherein the porous reinforcing polymer is expanded PTFE. 
     
     
         31 . The balloon of  claim 30  wherein the expanded PTFE has a matrix tensile value in one direction of greater than 690 megapascals. 
     
     
         32 . The balloon of  claim 30  wherein the expanded PTFE has a matrix tensile value in one direction of greater than 960 megapascals. 
     
     
         33 . The balloon of  claim 30  wherein the expanded PTFE has a matrix tensile value in one direction of greater than 1,200 megapascals. 
     
     
         34 . The balloon of  claim 30  wherein the maximum hoop stress of the helically wrapped layers in greater than 400 megapascals. 
     
     
         35 . The balloon of  claim 30  wherein the maximum hoop stress of the helically wrapped layers in greater than 600 megapascals. 
     
     
         36 . The balloon of  claim 1  wherein the helically wrapped passes comprise a porous reinforcing polymer and a continuous polymer layer. 
     
     
         37 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein a layer is less than 0.0002″ thick. 
     
     
         38 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is imbibed throughout the porous reinforcing polymer. 
     
     
         39 . The balloon of  claim 36  where the continuous polymer layer is comprised of a fluoropolymer. 
     
     
         40 . The balloon of  claim 36  where the continuous polymer layer is an elastomer. 
     
     
         41 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is a urethane. 
     
     
         42 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is a silicone. 
     
     
         43 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is a styrene block copolymer. 
     
     
         44 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is a fluoro-elastomer. 
     
     
         45 . The balloon of  claim 36  wherein the continuous polymer layer is bioresorbable. 
     
     
         46 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein said first balloon material or said second balloon material comprises a filler. 
     
     
         47 . The balloon catheter of  claim 46  wherein the filler is radio opaque. 
     
     
         48 . The balloon catheter of  claim 46  wherein the filler provides therapeutic value. 
     
     
         49 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the balloon contains an integral non-distending wrapped seal region. 
     
     
         50 . The balloon catheter of  claim 49  wherein the integral non-distending wrapped seal region is located between at least two passes of balloon material. 
     
     
         51 . The balloon catheter of  claim 49  wherein the integral non-distending wrapped seal region is located on the outer surface of a balloon material. 
     
     
         52 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a reinforced catheter shaft under the balloon to push out balloon after deflation which prevents distended material from folding over the seals. 
     
     
         53 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  further comprising a stent wherein the first balloon material pass and a second balloon material pass flows into interstices of a stent to provide stent embedment when used as a stent delivery system. 
     
     
         54 . The balloon catheter of  claim 53  wherein the stent is embedded without the use of heat. 
     
     
         55 . The balloon catheter of  claim 54  wherein the stent is embedded without balloon inflation. 
     
     
         56 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the first balloon material and the second balloon material are comprised of the same materials. 
     
     
         57 . The balloon catheter of  claim 1  wherein the first balloon material and the second balloon material are comprised of different materials. 
     
     
         58 . The balloon catheter of  claim 56  wherein the first balloon material pass and the second balloon material pass are less than 2 micrometers thick. 
     
     
         59 . A balloon catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a longitudinal axis and an inflatable balloon affixed to said shaft, said balloon having an un-inflated length which remains relatively unchanged upon inflation and comprising at least two helically wrapped passes of a first balloon material which are wrapped in opposing directions each with a wrap angle of less than 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         60 . The balloon catheter of  claim 59  wherein the helically wrapped passes are at a balanced force angle in the inflated state. 
     
     
         61 . The balloon catheter of  claim 60  wherein the helically wrapped passes are exposed to heat and inflation pressure to reach the inflated state.