Method and apparatus for extruding polymers employing...

Details Method and apparatus for extruding polymers employing... Method and apparatus for extruding polymers employing...

2007-01-16

2007-01-16

Johnson, Christina (Department: 1732)

Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes

Direct application of electrical or wave energy to work

Extrusion molding

C264S489000, C264S515000, C264S146000, C264S075000, C219S679000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10347005

ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product. A cooling bath mechanism, which in one embodiment can also include a cooling tube member having a cooling medium forced therethrough, is also disclosed. An apparatus for preparing polymer disk members, to use as the polymer feedstock material for the microwave extrusion apparatus, is also disclosed. Apparatus for interconnecting and rotating the polymer disk members, the die tip, or the die, or any combination thereof, for creating angularity characteristics in the polymer extrudate, is also disclosed.

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