| 摘要 |
An inflatable, flexible device (10) for use an expandable device comprises an inlet (14) part of a substantially tubular configuration, an expendable bag part (12) integrally connected to the inlet part (14) and made from a highly flexible and highly elastic material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastics, polymer or elastomer materials or combinations thereof, optionally reinforced by fibre or mesh included in the material. The expandable bag is changeable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state by inflating the bag through the introduction of an inflation gas into the interior through the inlet part (14). The expandable bag defines in the expandable state a specific, regular, geometric confuguration such as sphere, a rotational symmetrical body having a generator of a curved, convex or concave shape. The expandable bag includes in its unexpanded state a plurality of inwardly bent folds (16) extending parallel with the inlet part (14) and extending from positions juxtaposed the inlet part (14) along a major part of the outer surface of the expandable bag part (12). The inwardly bent folds (16) reduce the overall diameter of the expandable device in the unexpanded state by at least 30%, preferably 40%, further preferably 50%, further preferably 60% or 70%, such as 30%-35%, 35%-40%, 40%-45%, 45%-50%, 50%-55%, 55%-60%, 60%-65%, 65%-70%, as compared to the geometrical configuration defined by the expandable bag in the non-expanded state and not including the plurality of inwardly bent folds (16). <IMAGE>
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