1. A method for scoring or cutting a moving web to produce discreet scores or cuts in the web, the web moving in a machine direction, the method comprising:
providing the moving web at a selected speed;
generating a laser beam having a focal point positioned to provide either a score or cut in the web;
moving the focal point of the laser beam at a speed less than the selected speed for a selected distance thereby producing a discreet score or cut in the web;
repositioning the focal point to form another discreet score or cut once the prior discreet score or cut is formed and moving the repositioned focal point at a speed less than the selected speed for another selected distance;
repeating the step of repositioning to form a plurality of discreet scores or cuts in the web; and
wherein the laser beam is generated using less power than would be needed to produce the same type of discreet score or cut if the focal point were stationary as the web is moved at the selected speed.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the focal point of the laser beam and moving the repositioned focal point are accomplished in the machine direction.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating a laser beam having a focal point comprises providing a lens to focus the laser beam to create the focal point
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of moving the focal point of the laser beam comprises:
providing a mirror to reflect the laser beam onto the moving web; and
rotating the mirror to cause movement of the focal point of the laser beam in the machine direction.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of repositioning the focal point of the laser beam comprises:
providing a mirror to reflect the laser beam onto the moving web; and
rotating the mirror to cause movement of the focal point of the laser beam opposite to the machine direction.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
monitoring the speed of the web; and
controlling the speed of the focal point as a function of the speed of the web.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
monitoring the speed of the web; and
controlling a power density of the laser beam as a function of the speed of the web.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the web comprises a plastic film.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser beam comprises a CO2 laser beam.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected speed is x, corresponding to an ideal web movement speed for the web if the focal point was stationary.
11. A system for scoring or cutting a moving web to produce discreet scores or cuts in the web, the web moving in a machine direction, the system comprising:
a mechanism for moving the web at a selected speed;
a laser source for generating a laser beam;
a lens for focusing the laser beam to create a focal point;
a galvanometer for:
reflecting the focused laser beam to the web;
moving the focal point in the machine direction at a speed less than the selected speed for a selected distance thereby producing a discreet score or cut in the web; and
repositioning the focal point to form another discreet score or cut once the prior discreet score or cut is formed and moving the repositioned focal point at a speed less than the selected speed for another selected distance; and
wherein the laser beam is generated using less power than would be needed to produce the same type of discreet score or cut if the focal point were stationary as the web is moved at the selected speed.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mechanism for moving the web comprises a roller system.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the galvanometer comprises:
a mirror for reflecting the laser beam to the web; and
a motor for rotating the mirror to cause movement of the focal point.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising an encoder for monitoring the speed of the web.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a control unit in communication with the encoder and the galvanometer, the control unit for controlling the speed of the focal point as a function of the speed of the web.
16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a control unit in communication with the encoder and the laser source, the control unit for controlling a power density of the laser beam as a function of the speed of the web.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the web comprises a plastic film.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the laser beam comprises a CO2 laser beam.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein moving the focal point and moving the repositioned focal point are accomplished in the machine direction.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein the selected speed is x, corresponding to an ideal web movement speed for the web if the focal point was stationary.
21. A method for scoring or cutting a moving web to produce discreet scores or cuts in the web, the web moving in a machine direction, the method comprising:
providing the moving web at a selected speed in the machine direction;
generating a laser beam having a focal point positioned to provide either a score or cut in the web; and
moving the focal point of the laser beam at a speed different than the selected speed for a selected distance, thereby producing a discreet score or cut in the web.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein moving the focal point of the laser beam is accomplished in a direction opposite the machine direction.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein moving the focal point comprises varying a speed of movement of the focal point.
24. The method of claim 21 wherein moving the focal point of the laser beam is accomplished in a plurality of directions.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein moving the focal point of the laser beam is accomplished while varying a speed of movement of the focal point.
26. The method of claim 21 wherein generating the laser beam is comprises varying a power density level of the laser beam.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A catheter having an interior and an exterior, the catheter comprising:
a means for expansion having a proximal end, a distal end, a length dimension and a width dimension;
a shaft including a distal end, a first lumen configured for fluid communication with a body cavity, and a second lumen configured for communication with the means for expansion; and
wherein the width dimension of the means for expansion is greater than the length dimension of the means for expansion when the means for expansion is expanded.
2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for expansion has a width dimension to length dimension ratio of at least about 1.3 to 1 when the means for expansion is expanded.
3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for expansion has a width dimension to length dimension ratio of at least about 1.4 to 1 when the means for expansion is expanded.
4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for expansion has a width dimension to length dimension ratio of at least about 1.5 to 1 when the means for expansion is expanded.
5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the means for expansion is a balloon, an expandable sleeve, or an inflatable member.
6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises a tip attached to the distal end of the shaft, the tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior defining a passageway; and
wherein the proximal end of the means for expansion is attached to the shaft and the distal end of the means for expansion is attached to the interior of the tip.
7. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises a tip attached to the shaft, the tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior defining a passageway; and
wherein the proximal end of the means for expansion is attached to the shaft and the distal end of the means for expansion is integrally formed with the tip.
8. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the means for expansion extends distally from the distal end of the tip, and then circumscribes the distal end of the tip.
9. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the means for expansion extends distally from the distal end of the catheter, and then circumscribes the distal end of the catheter.
10. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for expansion comprises an elastomeric material.
11. A catheter comprising:
a head having at least two openings through which fluid may be passed;
a catheter shaft extending from the head, the catheter shaft having a first and second lumen, each of the lumens being in communication with at least one of the two openings, the catheter shaft further having an interior and an exterior; and
a means for expansion having a first end attached to the catheter shaft and a second end attached to the catheter shaft, wherein the means for expansion has a width dimension at least about 1.4 times greater than the length dimension of the means for expansion when the means for expansion is expanded.
12. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the first end of the means for expansion is attached to the exterior of the catheter shaft, and the second end of the means for expansion is attached to the interior of the catheter shaft.
13. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the first end of the means for expansion is attached to the exterior of the catheter shaft, and the second end of the means for expansion is attached to the exterior of the catheter shaft.
14. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the catheter shaft further comprises
a distal end; and
a tip attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft.
15. The catheter of claim 14, wherein the first end of the means for expansion is attached to the exterior of the catheter shaft, and wherein the second end of the means for expansion is attached to the interior of the tip.
16. The catheter of claim 11, wherein the head has a plurality of valves configured for selectively controlling fluid flow through the catheter.
17. A catheter comprising:
an elongate shaft having at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, a distal end and a width dimension; and
an expandable balloon, said balloon having a length dimension and a width dimension;
wherein the width dimension of the balloon is larger than the length dimension of the balloon when the balloon is expanded.
18. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the width dimension of the balloon is at least about 1.4 times larger than the length dimension of the balloon when the balloon is expanded.
19. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the width dimension of the balloon is at least about 1.45 times larger than the length dimension of the balloon when the balloon is expanded.
20. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the width dimension of the balloon is at least about 1.5 times larger than the length dimension of the balloon when the balloon is expanded.
21. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the shaft further comprises
a distal end; and
a tip attached to the distal end of the shaft.
22. The catheter of claim 21 further comprising a head; wherein the balloon is located between the head and the distal tip of the catheter.
23. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the balloon has at least one cuff, and wherein one of the cuffs is located at or near the distal end of the catheter.
24. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the balloon has at least one cuff, and wherein at least one of the cuffs is attached to the interior of the catheter.
25. A balloon catheter configured for placement through a stoma into a body cavity so that the catheter is maintained in the stoma, the catheter comprising:
a head having at least one opening through which a fluid may be introduced;
a catheter shaft extending from the head to a distal end the catheter shaft forming a passageway, said passageway having an interior; and
an expandable member attached to the catheter shaft about the passageway so as to form a balloon, the balloon being in collapsed state when not expanded; wherein the balloon has a first end, a second end, a length dimension and a width dimension; and
wherein the balloon extends radially outwardly from the catheter shaft when expanded, such that the width of the balloon is at least about 1.3 times the length of the balloon when expanded.
26. The balloon catheter of claim 25, wherein a first end of the balloon is attached to the catheter shaft so as to form a proximal cuff of the balloon, and wherein a second end of the balloon is attached to the catheter shaft so as to form a distal cuff of the balloon.
27. The balloon catheter of claim 25, wherein the distal end of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the catheter and wherein the distal end of the balloon defines a portion of the passageway through the catheter shaft.
28. The balloon catheter of claim 25, wherein the catheter shaft comprises a tip attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft, opposite the head.
29. The balloon catheter of claim 28, wherein the balloon is attached to the exterior of the catheter shaft and the interior of the tip.