| 摘要 |
A balloon catheter 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, such as tungsten, distributed in the radiopaque layer 32. The radiopaque layer 32 may include a polymer mixed with a powder, granules, pellets or fragments of radiopaque material. 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. 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. |
