Importance

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Abstract

A balloon consisting of braided fibers encapsulated between two plastic elastomeric materials affixes to a distal end of a catheter. The braided fibers provide reinforcement to contain pressure and determine the maximum diameter of the balloon on expansion. The elastomeric material provides for fluid containment and collapsing of the balloon after pressurization. An embedded spring in an elastomeric material internal to the catheter provides memory to assist in collapsing the balloon after pressurization. The embedded spring extends from the distal end of the catheter towards the proximal end of the catheter along a substantial length of the catheter. The catheter with the balloon are in a multilumen configuration or in a coaxial configuration. A guidewire passage extends through the elastomeric material with the embedded spring. An alternative embodiment illustrates a hub with a movable internal seal and inner tube connected to a balloon catheter tip with a free space collapsement spring. The movable inner seal also assists in spring collapsement and in shortening of the balloon structure for maximum allowable radial inflation. A distal portion of a balloon catheter includes a compressible spring which is free floating within a tubular interior area and having no embedding material about it.

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First Claim