Low profile balloon catheter and method for making same

A non-distensible balloon adapted to be disposed circumferentially on a tube having an elongate axis, and adapted to be rolled on the tube to achieve a low profile, the balloon comprising:

• an end wall disposed in an end region of the balloon and in a fixed circumferential relationship with the tube;
• a central wall disposed in a central region of the balloon and in a displaced relationship with the tube when the balloon is inflated;
• a transition wall extending from the end wall to the central wall of the balloon, the transition wall defining;
• a height transition region wherein the transition wall extends from a first radius at the end wall to a second radius at the central wall, the height transition region having a first axial length, and
• a thickness transition region wherein the transition wall varies from a maximum thickness to a minimum thickness, the thickness transition region having a second axial length less than the first axial length;
• first portions of the balloon disposed in the transition wall and having a thickness t.sub.1, an inside radius r.sub.1, and an outside radius R.sub.1 ;
• and
• second portions of the balloon disposed in one of the end wall, central wall and the transition wall, and having a thickness t.sub.2, an inside radius r.sub.2 and an outside radius R.sub.2 ;
• wherein
• the thickness t.sub.1 of the first portions of the balloon is characterized by the following formula:
• ##EQU3##