Systems and methods for catheter balloon removal

A method of retrieving a catheter balloon, comprising:

• inserting a balloon through a balloon catheter system, wherein:
• the balloon catheter system comprises:
• an elongated catheter shaft:
• having a proximal end and a distal end;
• enclosing:
• a guidewire;
• a balloon system;
• and
• a balloon retrieval system;
• the guidewire;
• the balloon system, comprising a balloon positioned along the guidewire;
• and
• the balloon retrieval system, comprising:
• a flowering portion configured to expand from the distal end of the elongated catheter shaft;
• and
• a sheath portion positioned within the elongated catheter shaft, wherein:
• the flowering portion is configured to funnel the balloon, in a deflated configuration, into the sheath portion, and
• the sheath portion is configured to enable the balloon, in the deflated configuration, to be pulled through a central cavity therethrough, and
• inserting the balloon through the balloon catheter system comprises inserting the balloon through the sheath portion beyond the distal portion of the elongated catheter shaft;
• inflating the balloon exterior to the distal end of the elongated catheter shaft;
• deflating the balloon;
• expanding the flowering portion;
• and
• pulling the balloon, in a deflated configuration, through the flowering portion and through the sheath portion, thereby pulling the balloon through the elongated catheter shaft.