C2021-010

About

This technology utilizes 3D printed molds from stereolithography printers to create tapered balloons. These balloons can be used to treat patients with an artery blockage, particularly patients experiencing bifurcation lesions. First, measurements of the patient's vessel geometry is gathered using an angiogram, CT, MRI, or ultrasound. Then, a mold is designed and 3D printed in a matter of days, designed to the patient's measurements and needs. The mold is placed inside a heated block. A parison, or a pre-stretched plastic tube, is inserted within the block and heated for the desired time and temperature. Then, quick pressurized bursts blow into the tube, inflating it to match the dimensions of the mold. The tube is then depressurized and removed, ready for insertion into the patient. Usually stents are deployed in one of a number of different methodologies. However, the techniques either create overlapping stents which promotes restenosis or expose a location of no stent coverage. In addition, patients with bifurcation lesions (which account for 15-20% of all percutaneous coronary interventions) are even more challenging that typical cases. Improper treatment can lead to adverse blood flow and tissue stress fields that can predispose the patient to restenosis of the diseased vessel and/or local thrombosis. Barry Uretsky solved this problem by using a tapered balloon and a stent in the main branch, followed by two smaller stents in the daughter branches. This invention expands on this idea, creating a substantially more cost efficient and faster method of creating personalized tapered balloons for patients.