FLEXIBLE HIGH-PRESSURE BALLOONS

摘要

Flexible high-pressure angioplasty balloons are disclosed herein which utilize an inflatable balloon positioned upon the catheter and a supporting structure secured over or along the catheter at a first location proximal to the balloon and at a second location distal to the balloon. Inflation of the balloon reconfigures the supporting structure to urge the first location and the second location towards one another thereby inhibiting longitudinal elongation of the balloon relative to the catheter. The supporting structure may surround, support, or otherwise extend over the entire length of the balloon and allows for the balloon to retain increased flexibility which enables the balloon to bend or curve even at relatively high inflation pressures.

主权项

1. An apparatus for performing procedure within a patient's body, comprising:
a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a low-compliance balloon carried on the distal end comprising a central region and end regions transitioning from the central region to attachment locations on the distal end, the balloon expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition; and a supporting structure comprising a plurality of substantially inelastic fibers extending helically around an outer surface of the balloon, each fiber comprising first and second opposite ends fixedly attached to the distal end such that intermediate regions of the fibers are movable relative to the central region of the balloon, wherein one or more of the plurality of fibers are wound helically in a first direction and one or more of the plurality of fibers are wound helically in a second direction such that the fibers overlap one another at one or more intersecting locations without being coupled to one another at the intersecting locations.