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Abstract

A therapeutic medical procedure utilizing a miniature balloon catheter of the type including a resilient cannula adapted for attachment to a source of fluid in having a small outer diameter for insertion into small vessels containing fluid and an inflatable balloon having a mouth at the proximal end thereof. The balloon is attachably mounted on the end of the cannula in fluid communication therewith and the balloon is designed to seal when the cannula is attached therefrom. The medical technique includes inserting the balloon catheter into a small vessel and permitting the catheter to advance to a desired location in the vessel. The balloon catheter is attached to a source of fluid having an osmolarity substantially the same as the fluid in the vessel and the balloon is inflated to the volume limits of the balloon with fluid from the fluid source through the cannula until the balloon is fixed in position in the vessel. The cannula is then detached from the balloon and removed from the vessel. The mouth of the inflated balloon is self-sealed with the fluid from the fluid source therein to maintain the balloon in inflated position for an extended period of time thereby creating a vessel occlusion.

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First Claim