Importance

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Abstract

In a device for dissolving deposits on a wall of a body passage, which wall has openings leading to side passages which device comprises: a catheter having an axis, an outer surface, a distal end and a proximal end, the catheter being insertable into the body passage via the distal end; the catheter having a dissolution agent delivery passage for delivering a dissolution agent to a region surrounding the catheter, and the catheter further having means defining at least one balloon inflation passage; and a balloon secured to the outer surface of the catheter at a location spaced from the dissolution agent delivery passage and communicating with the at least one balloon inflation passage, the balloon being inflatable to at least partly block a space between the catheter and the body passage wall when the catheter is inserted into the body passage, the improvement wherein the balloon has a nonuniform compliance such that when an inflation fluid is supplied to the balloon, the balloon expands parallel to the axis to a greater degree into the region than away from the region.

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First Claim