MANUFACTURE OF BALOON CATHETER,AND BALOON CATHETER

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a balloon catheter to be rightly folded to a small diameter state by twisting the two ends of a semi-finished tubular product with respect to one another within a range of angles when the product is laid in a mold. SOLUTION: In a mold cavity 18, securing members 19 are attached to both side ends opposite to one another of a mold 15. The two ends 21 of a semi- finished tubular product 20 are secured in the securing members 19. The two ends 21 of the semi-finished tubular product are twisted within a range of angles with respect to one another before the product is laid in the mold 15. The appropriate angle is 270 degrees. After the semi-finished tubular product 20 is laid in the mold 15, pressure difference between outside and inside the semi- finished tubular product 20 is formed, at the same time when the product 20 is heated at a temperature higher than its softening temperature. A balloon member is formed by blowing. The expanded portion of the semi-finished tubular product 20 is pressed to the inner wall of the mold 15 tightly to obtain a predetermined shape. Rigid portions 22 can be folded with each other with the thin portion between them folded.