BALLOON FOLDING TECHNOLOGY

摘要

An apparatus for folding a catheter balloon comprises a stationary base member (22); a rotatable drive hub (23) which is moveable in relation to the stationary base member (22); and a pleating head (11) aligned with respect to the stationary base member (22) and to the rotatable drive hub (23). The pleating head (11) includes at least three segments (33), each having a proximal end and angled distal end with at least one angled side face terminating in and edge of a predetermined length. Each segment (33) has a centerline between the proximal and distal ends, each segment having a proximal point and a distal point, and the proximal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the stationary base member (22) and the distal point being pivotally coupled by pins to the rotatable hub member (23). The segments (33) are arranged so that the segment distal ends are disposed adjacent to a predetermined distance away from a central aperture.