CATHETER BALLOON WITH ADVANTAGEOUS CONE DESIGN

摘要

The present invention provides a catheter balloon having an advantageous con e design. In particular, the catheter balloon has at least one cone section wi th a volume in mm~ such that, when the ratio of one cone volume to the transver se cross-sectional area in mm of the inflated median section is at least about 2.1mm. In certain applications, the advantageous cone design can assist in t he preferential expansion of the cone sections prior to any significant expansi on of the median section. The balloon can thus advantageously be utilized as a component of a balloon catheter or prosthesis delivery system, also provided via the present invention. When so utilized, the inventive balloon can assis t in reducing any shifting of the balloon and/or prosthesis during inflation o r delivery, respectively. Methods of utilizing the balloon catheters in dilati on procedures, as well as the prosthesis delivery systems to deliver prosthesis , are also provided.