Balloon catheter and treatment
AssigneeSentient Engineering & Technology, L.L.C.
InventorAlvaro J. Laguna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved balloon catheter. The balloon is of a composite material having the flexibility and elastic characteristics of an elastomeric material, yet exhibiting the growth limits of inelastic materials. The balloon may be treated to maintain a substantially constant length during inflation and deflation. The balloon may be provided with regions of porosity for the delivery of therapeutic agents, and may be treated to exhibit regions of distinct compliance. Also disclosed is an apparatus, which may be used to impart the regions of distinct compliance into the balloon.
Claims73
A balloon for use in a catheter, comprising:
- a first layer of treated material adapted to experience a change in diameter while remaining substantially the same length when inflated.
A method of making a balloon for use in a catheter, comprising:
- treating a first layer of material whereby the material experiences a change in diameter while remaining substantially the same length when inflated.
A balloon catheter, comprising:
- a catheter having a first portion and a second portion;
- a balloon disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the balloon having a first layer of treated material adapted to experience a change in diameter while remaining substantially the same length when inflated.
A balloon for use in a catheter, comprising:
- a first layer of treated material adapted to experience a change in diameter while experiencing a controlled change in length when inflated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.