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Abstract

An intraluminal catheter with an inflatable fluoropolymer balloon is described. The catheter, generally comprising an elongate body portion dimensioned to be inserted within a body lumen, has a fluoropolymer inflatable member affixed to the outer surface and coaxial with the body portion. An inflation lumen provides fluid communication between the interior portion of the inflatable member and a source of inflation fluid. The catheter preferably has means thereon for conducting light to a portion of the catheter underlying the inflatable member. The fluoropolymer inflatable member can be positioned within a lumen of the body and inflated with a transparent fluid. The non-blocking (non-sticky) property of fluoropolymer resins permits easy inflation while the transparency and thermal stability permit the conduction of high power illuminating light from a source within the catheter through the fluoropolymer wall of the inflatable member to the surrounding tissue. The fluoropolymer wall of the balloon maintains its' structural integrity upon heating by the transmitted light thus permitting the delivery of higher power levels of illumination to surrounding tissue.

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First Claim