Importance

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Abstract

A catheter includes a body having tubular walls defining a lumen extending along an axis from the distal end of the body to a proximal end of the body. Portions of the walls define at least one balloon hole extending from the lumen through the walls of the body. Elastomeric material restrained to the hole defining portions interiorly of the body expand outwardly of the (catheter) body to form a balloon when the lumen is pressurized with fluid. The elastomeric material my take the form of a patch or a full lining of the catheter walls defining the lumen. A method for making the catheter includes the step of retaining portions of an elastomeric layer around the hole interiorly of the lumen. A preferred method of manufacturing the catheter includes the step of providing the catheter body and an inner layer of elastomeric sheet material simultaneously in a co-extruder.

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First Claim