HIGH STRENGTH RADIOPAQUE BALLOON

摘要

A balloon catheter (10) includes a balloon (12) which is both of high strength and radiopaque. The balloon (12) includes an outer strengthened layer (30) which includes a strengthening element (34) at least partially embedded within the layer (30). Concentrically within the strengthened layer (30) there is a radiopaque layer (32) which includes a high concentration of radiopaque material distributed in the radiopaque layer (32). The strengthened layer (30) acts as a support to the radiopaque layer (32) which is otherwise be unable to withstand the pressure to which the balloon (12) is normally inflated for deployment and in the course of a medical procedure. The structure provides a high strength radiopaque balloon with a relatively thin balloon wall optimizing balloon flexibility and wrapability. There is also disclosed a method of making a balloon which uses an internal support layer in a raw tubing which is then removed following formation of a balloon.