HIGH STRENGTH DILATATION BALLOONS

摘要

A high strength, relatively inelastic balloon having a well defined shape and a high degree of clarity which is particularly suitable for dilatation catheters used in angioplasty procedures. The method of making the balloon includes primary blowing a preform of the desired composition with high levels of radial and axial stretching which provide a blow-up ratio greater than 32, followed by a secondary blowing of the primary blown balloon at a temperature of about 140 DEG and about 160 DEG C in a mold having dimension of at least 1 % greater in all directions than the dimensions of the primary balloon mold. The secondary blowing minimizes translucence and allows development of balloon shape and dimensions which accurately replicate the interior chamber of the mold.