An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The
balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having
an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy,
which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the
mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once
heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the
polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can
cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional
microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with
one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form
a medical device.