Importance

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Abstract

A balloon catheter for insertion in a body passage includes an elongated coil spring which defines a lumen. This coil spring is covered by a silicone covering which includes an extensible sheath, a strain relief collar affixed to the sheath, and a balloon tip affixed to the strain relief collar. The extensible sheath and a portion of the elongated coil spring form in combination a support structure which perceptibly elongates when an excessive stretching force is applied to the support structure in pulling the balloon through a body passage. As this support structure elongates, the volume of the lumen of the coil spring increases. Preferably the balloon is in fluid communication with the lumen of the coil spring such that the volume of the balloon is reduced when the support structure elongates. The strain relief collar is adapted to extend away from the spring to receive fluid from the balloon to reduce fluid pressure within the balloon when fluid pressure within the balloon exceeds a predetermined value. One preferred embodiment includes a flexible disc-shaped chamber in fluid communication with the balloon, which chamber is sized to fit between the thumb and opposing finger of a user.

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First Claim