Device for embedding a balloon, arranged on a catheter, in an implant and associated method

Abstract

An embedding mould is configured for arrangement in the heating element. The embedding mould has a cylindrical cavity, which is dimensioned such that an assembly consisting of a catheter with balloon and an implant mounted on the outer side of the balloon can be arranged in the cavity of the embedding mould. A protective film is provided between an inner wall of the cavity of the embedding mould and the assembly.

1 . A device for embedding a balloon arranged on a catheter in an implant having an open-work structure, said device comprising:
 a heating element;   an embedding mould configured to be arranged in the heating element, wherein the embedding mould has a cylindrical cavity dimensioned in such a way that an assembly consisting of the catheter with balloon and the implant mounted on the outer side of the balloon can be arranged in the cavity of the embedding mould; and   a protective film configured to be movable with the assembly into a position between an inner wall of the cavity of the embedding mould and the assembly for the embedding.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is strip-like or is formed as a layer arranged on the inner wall of the embedding mould. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the cavity ( 9 ) of the embedding mould runs parallel to the longitudinal direction of the embedding mould and is formed continuously, wherein the strip-like protective film bears loosely against the inner wall of the embedding mould and can be wound and/or unwound around the assembly and protrudes beyond the continuous cavity of the embedding mould on one or both sides in the longitudinal direction of the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to either one of  claim 2 , wherein the width of the strip-like protective film is greater than the circumference of the cavity of the embedding mould. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film consists of a plastic material. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the embedding mould has a high heat flux. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling element arranged beneath the heating element, which cooling element has at least one opening on its upper side for the conduction of a cooling fluid. 
     
     
         8 . A method for embedding a balloon, arranged on a catheter, in an implant having an open-work structure, said method comprising the following steps:
 producing an assembly consisting of a catheter with balloon and the implant mounted on the outer side of the balloon,   inserting the assembly into a cavity of an embedding mould, which is lined on its inner wall with a protective film,   connecting the catheter to a fluid source,   heating the embedding mould with assembly in a heating element for a predefined time,   applying a predefined first internal pressure to the balloon by the fluid source connected to the catheter,   cooling the embedding mould with the assembly with a predefined second internal pressure in the balloon,   deflating the balloon after cooling the embedding mould with the assembly,   removing the assembly and protective film from the embedding mould.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the protective film is a strip-like protective film and, prior to the introduction of the assembly into the cavity of the embedding mould, the strip-like protective film is wound around the assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the assembly is introduced into the cavity of the embedding mould and is removed from the cavity of the embedding mould together with the strip-like protective film, and the protective film is unwound from the assembly following the removal of the assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the strip-like protective film is unwound from a roll and is guided through the cavity of the embedding mould with the assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of PTFE, PFA, PE and LDPE. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is movable with the assembly out of the mould after the embedding. 
     
     
         14 . A device for embedding a balloon arranged on a catheter in an implant having
 an open-work structure, said device comprising:   a heating element;   an embedding mould configured to be arranged in the heating element, wherein the embedding mould has a cylindrical cavity dimensioned in such a way that an assembly consisting of the catheter with balloon and the implant mounted on the outer side of the balloon can be arranged in the cavity of the embedding mould; and   a protective film between an inner wall of the cavity of the embedding mould and the assembly   
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the protective film is connected to an inner wall of the embedding mould.