A balloon catheter and methods of using same are provided. The balloon catheter can include an expandable structure mounted over a balloon coated with a composition. The expandable structure includes a plurality of axial struts crossing a plurality of radially-expandable rings for constraining the balloon such that isolated balloon regions can protrude through openings in the expandable structure when the balloon is inflated. The balloon catheter can be configured to maximize scraping of the composition from the surface of the balloon by the struts of the expandable structure during balloon inflation.

The present disclosure relates to medical devices comprising detachable balloons and catheter assemblies, wherein the detachable balloons are polymer balloons, metal balloons, polymer-coated metal balloons, and metalized polymer balloons. Various means of attachment and detachment of the balloons to the catheter assemblies are described. Kits and uses of systems having one or more medical devices, detachable balloons, and elongated or expandable bodies are also disclosed.

Systems and methods can involve wedge dissectors attached to strips in turn attached to medical balloons, for forming serrations within vascular wall tissue for angioplasty as well as drug delivery.

Provided is a balloon catheter wherein a balloon is less likely to swell in the protective tube during an air leak test of the balloon in a state where the balloon having projecting portions is housed in a lumen of the protective tube. A balloon catheter contains: a shaft extending in a distal-proximal direction; a balloon having wing-shaped portions; projecting portions disposed on an outer surface of the balloon; and a protective tube in which the balloon is disposed, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the distal-proximal direction at a midpoint of a length in the distal-proximal direction of the protective tube, a distance from a centroid of the protective tube through an apex of each projecting portion to an inner surface of the protective tube is longer than a distance from the centroid through none of the projecting portions to the inner surface of the protective tube.

According to one aspect, a balloon-equipped treatment tool for an endoscope includes a balloon, and a sheath connected to a proximal end side of the balloon and configured to introduce fluid to the balloon. The balloon includes a body portion having a first wall thickness, a cylindrical tail portion arranged on a proximal end side of the body portion and connected to the sheath, a cone portion located between the body portion and the tail portion, and a thick portion forming a second wall thickness larger than the first wall thickness. The thick portion whose distal end is arranged in the cone portion and whose proximal end is arranged in the tail portion.

An improved medical device reduces the loss of longitudinal length during expansion of a stent-graft from a compressed state to an expanded state. For example, the stent-graft is placed over a cover that provides resistance to expansion of the balloon during inflation, which reduces longitudinal compressing forces exerted on the stent-graft.

A balloon-type electrode catheter includes a catheter shaft including an outer shaft and an inner shaft, a balloon provided at a part including a distal end of the catheter shaft, and an electrode. The balloon includes an outer joining portion an inner joining portion, a distal end large diameter portion, a proximal end large diameter portion, a small diameter portion positioned between the two large diameter portions and being smaller in diameter than the two large diameter portions, a distal end inclined portion connecting the distal end large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, and a proximal end inclined portion connecting the proximal end large diameter portion and the small diameter portion. The electrode is exposed at at least the small diameter portion.

Endolumenal devices and methods can be used for the treatment of health conditions including obesity and diabetes. In some embodiments, the methods and systems provided herein can cause weight loss or control diabetes by reducing the caloric absorption of an individual. For example, this document provides several devices and methods for treating obesity and diabetes by using electroporation to modulate the duodenal mucosa. In addition, this document provides devices and methods for bypassing portions of the gastrointestinal tract to reduce nutritional uptake.

In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated member including at least one balloon connected to the elongated member, the at least one balloon being configured to inflate to an expanded state. In the expanded state, the at least one balloon forms at least a portion of a cavity with a wall of a vessel of the patient. The catheter including at least one electrode carried by the elongated member and having at least one surface exposed to the cavity formed by the at least one balloon. The electrode is configured to connect to an energy source that is configured to deliver, via the electrode, an electrical signal to a fluid contained in the cavity and in contact with the electrode to cause the fluid to undergo cavitation to generate a pressure pulse wave within the fluid.

Provided is a balloon catheter wherein a balloon is less likely to swell in the protective tube during an air leak test of the balloon in a state where the balloon having projecting portions is housed in a lumen of the protective tube. A balloon catheter comprising: a shaft extending in a distal-proximal direction; a balloon disposed on a distal side of the shaft and having, in a contracted state, a plurality of wing-shaped portions; projecting portions each disposed on a portion, of an outer surface of the balloon, that is none of the wing-shaped portions; and a protective tube having a lumen in which the balloon is disposed, wherein none of the wing-shaped portions is present between an apex of each projecting portion and a point, on an inner surface of the protective tube, that is at a shortest distance from the apex of the projecting portion.