Esophageal balloon catheter with asymmetrical balloon

A balloon catheter for use with an endoscope, comprising:

• a flexible shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• the shaft having an inner member and an outer tubular body;
• the outer body surrounding at least a portion of the inner member and defining an inflation lumen;
• the outer body having at least one reinforcing member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer body;
• a balloon defining an interior and being made of translucent balloon material which is substantially inelastic;
• the balloon having an inflatable portion extending between a proximal and distal balloon portion, each proximal and distal balloon portion being affixed to the flexible shaft;
• wherein the balloon is affixed to the flexible shaft near its distal end;
• and the inflatable portion includes a cylindrical working portion arranged between a proximal and distal tapering portion;
• the balloon in an initial configuration being deflated, pleated and wrapped around the flexible shaft;
• a hub affixed to the proximal end of the shaft and defining at least an inflation port;
• such that the inflation lumen communicates between the hub and the balloon;
• wherein the proximal and distal tapering portions each define an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and the angle defined by the proximal tapering portion is steeper than the angle defined by the distal tapering portion.