Microholes

Micro-drilled drug delivery balloon catheters (DDB) are an alternative to drug-coated balloons (DCB). The disadvantage of DCBs is that they lose some of their medication before they reach the lesion. The better choice are DDBs. DDBs ensure a localized intraluminal drug delivery (LIDD) when they are dilated – and release their medication in the exact locations where the active drugs are required to do their job.

DDBs can release medication multiple times by repeated dilation of the balloon. This means a single DDB can be used to treat multiple lesions consecutively. The delivered dose of medication depends on the duration of dilation, the pressure and the number of holes in the balloon. The drugs are blended into the contrast medium which is filled into the balloon catheter just in the moment of intervention. So the drilled balloon catheter itself does not face drug expiry limitations. Drilled balloon catheters can also be used as “standard” balloon catheters without the addition of medication.

• Inspection of hole sizes via on-site SEM
• Measurement of liquid release versus balloon pressure
• Alternatively: measurement of gas flow rate
  (non-destructive, 100 % inspection)
• Full traceability of laser-drilled balloons

• We can handle your solitary balloons or complete catheter systems.
• Customized balloon fixtures are used to ensure the best reproducible quality.
• Experience with different balloon materials, such as polyamide (Nylon), PET, polyurethane ...