An expandable medical balloon, comprising a balloon, the balloon comprising a cone portion, a waist portion and a body portion and a fiber braid disposed along the cone portion, the waist portion and the body portion of the balloon, the fiber braid comprising a first fiber and a second fiber that is different than the first fiber, the first fiber comprising a polymer material having a first melting temperature and the second fiber is a non-melting fiber.

A multi-layered balloon is provided where each layer is formed such that each layer is made from tubing that optimizes the inner wall stretch thus providing maximum balloon strength. The high pressure, multi-layer balloon is provided with layers that allow for slipping, such that the balloon has a very high pressure rating and toughness, yet excellent folding characteristics. Methods for producing such multi-layer balloons using existing balloon forming equipment are also provided. The multi-layer balloons can have alternating structural and lubricating layers, or layers with low-friction surfaces. The multi-layer balloons are preferably manufactured using a variety of methods including nesting, co-extrusion, or a combination of nesting and co-extrusion. The multi-layer balloons have balloon layers having substantially similar, or the same, high degree of biaxial orientation of their polymer molecules such that each balloon layer of the multi-layer balloon will fail at approximately the same applied pressure.

A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

A replacement heart valve prosthesis is loaded onto a balloon mounted onto a balloon shaft of a catheter system. The balloon shaft is rotatably engaged with an actuator on the handle of the catheter system. Rotation of the actuator by a first amount in a first direction permits rotation of the heart valve prosthesis by a known amount during the procedure so that alignment of the commissures of the replacement valve with the commissures of the existing valve can be predictably achieved.

A multi-layered balloon is provided where each layer is formed such that each layer is made from tubing that optimizes the inner wall stretch thus providing maximum balloon strength. The high pressure, multi-layer balloon is provided with layers that allow for slipping, such that the balloon has a very high pressure rating and toughness, yet excellent folding characteristics. Methods for producing such multi-layer balloons using existing balloon forming equipment are also provided. The multi-layer balloons can have alternating structural and lubricating layers, or layers with low-friction surfaces. The multi-layer balloons are preferably manufactured using a variety of methods including nesting, co-extrusion, or a combination of nesting and co-extrusion. The multi-layer balloons have balloon layers having substantially similar, or the same, high degree of biaxial orientation of their polymer molecules such that each balloon layer of the multi-layer balloon will fail at approximately the same applied pressure.

An inflatable structure for use in biological lumens and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The structure can have an inflatable balloon encircled by a shell. The shell can have proximal and distal tapered necks, longitudinally-oriented flutes, and apertures at the proximal and distal ends of the shell. The apertures can be recessed in the flutes in the necks. The shell can also have fiber reinforced walls.

A medical device includes an inflatable balloon defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a coating including a therapeutic agent disposed on the exterior surface of the inflatable balloon. The coating has a release transition temperature within a range from about 25° C. to about 50° C. When the temperature of the coating is below the release transition temperature, the coating retains at least a portion of the therapeutic agent on the exterior of the inflatable balloon. When the temperature of the coating is above the release transition temperature, the coating releases at least a portion of the therapeutic agent from the exterior of the inflatable balloon.

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter. The catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon. The balloon may comprise a cone portion, a waist portion, and a body portion. A fiber braid may be disposed along the balloon. An inner surface of the waist portion may be thermally bonded to an outer surface of the catheter shaft and an inner surface of the fiber braid may be adhesively bonded to an outer surface of the waist portion.

A semi-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon having a folded wall thickness of from about 0.0010 to about 0.0060 inches and a rated burst pressure of at least 15 atmospheres and exhibiting compliance in the radial direction of from 0.5% expansion per atmosphere to rated burst pressure of the balloon includes a base balloon formed from a semi-elastic polymer about 1.0% expansion per atmosphere when pressurized from a fully inflated diameter to the material having an elongation to break of from about 10% to about 20%, a fiber layer is disposed over the base balloon with fibers having an elongation to break of from about 10% to about 20% and an outer layer formed from a semi-elastic polymer material having an elongation to break of from about 10% to about 20% disposed over the fiber layer.

Minimally invasive catheter relates to the field of eversible catheters. It is primarily intended for use as a urinary catheter, but is also usable in other fields. As a urinary catheter this minimally invasive catheter 1 used as an indwelling or intermittent catheter with transurethral or suprapubic approach. This catheter has specific technical solution for eversible motion where tubular membrane 2, attached between distal part 36a of the handle 36 and distal part 3a of the inner tube 3, can in one case free slide between these two parts and in another be fixed to form hermetically sealed space 14. Free sliding of membrane ensures eversible principle of motion during placement and withdrawal of the catheter 1. Fixation of membrane allows a formation of hermetically sealed space 14 with fluid to make catheter surface smoother and softer, and a balloon 33 to hold catheter 1 in place for prolonged period of time. Thus, present invention provides a urinary catheter that enables the reduced incidence of complications arising due to its application.