Inflatable medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be medical invasive balloons, such as those used for transcutaneous heart valve implantation, such as balloons used for transcatheter aortic-valve implantation. The balloons can have high strength, fiber-reinforced walls.

Systems (1100) for treating a blood flow passage are discloses herein. In one example, a treatment device includes an expandable element (1104) configured to be positioned within the passage and a reinforcing element (1102). The expandable element may have an expanded configuration in which the expandable element defines a lumen (1108) therethrough. The reinforcing element may be positioned within the lumen of the expandable element. The reinforcing element may be coupled to the expandable element such that expansion of the expandable element causes the reinforcing element to radially expand, thereby creating a perfusion lumen through the device.

Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

A multi-stage balloon catheter has a deflated state, a first inflation state at a first pressure and a second inflation state at a higher fluid pressure. In the first inflation state, the multi-stage balloon has a plurality of bulb segments separated by waist hoops that allow the multi-stage balloon to conform to match the curvature of a passageway. When pressure is increased in the multi-stage balloon from the first inflation state to the second inflation state, the waist locations expand either by breaking or stretching the waist restraints or by overcoming expansion resistance incorporated into the balloon material at the waist locations. The multi-stage balloon catheter may be used to implant a stent in a manner to conform and match a curved passageway rather than tending to straighten the passageway.

An occlusion catheter system includes a proximal hub having an inflation connection port and an inflation pathway. An inflation catheter member is connected to the proximal hub and has an inflation lumen. A stiffener member defines a longitudinal axis. The proximal end of the stiffener member is connected to the proximal hub. The stiffener member extends through a portion of the inflation lumen. An occlusion balloon has a proximal balloon end and a distal balloon end. A distal catheter member is positioned substantially on the longitudinal axis and is connected to the distal end of the stiffener member. An atraumatic tip is positioned on a distal end of the distal catheter member. The atraumatic tip has a substantially circular profile in a relaxed configuration. A pressure sensor is connected to the occlusion catheter system distally relative to the occlusion balloon and is connected to a processor by electrical wiring.

A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

To provide a new balloon catheter enabling formation of, with high dimensional accuracy and excellent shape adaptability with respect to a balloon, an additional structure such as a blade and a reinforcement member to be additionally provided to the balloon. In this balloon catheter 10 provided with an expandable/contractible balloon 14 on the distal end side of a catheter 12, an additional structure 36 having a prescribed pattern is formed through electroforming or the like directly onto an inner circumferential surface 34 and/or an outer circumferential surface 82 of the balloon 14.

Disclosed herein are apparatus embodiments and methods for using same that facilitate occlusion of a lumen in a subject. In a particular example, the apparatus is configured for occluding a portion of the lower GI tract (e.g. colon). Further, the apparatus is configured for placement in the lumen and insufflation to secure within the lumen such that the apparatus remains in place without the need for uncomfortable conduits or tools extending out of the patient. In a particular method embodiment, the apparatus is useful for occluding a lumen following a surgical procedure such as an anastomosis.

The present disclosure is directed toward a semi-compliant to non-compliant, conformable balloon useful in medical applications. Conformable balloons of the present disclosure exhibit a low straightening force when in a curved configuration and at inflation pressures greater than 4 atm. Balloons of the present disclosure are constructed of material that can compress along an inner length when the balloon is in a curved configuration. In further embodiments, balloons of the present disclosure can be constructed of material that sufficiently elongates along an outer arc when the balloon is in a curved configuration. As a result, medical balloons, in accordance with the present disclosure, when inflated in a curved configuration, exhibit kink-free configurations and do not cause a significant degree of vessel straightening.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to drug-coated balloon catheters for treating strictures in body lumens and methods of using the same. A drug-coated balloon catheter for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site of a body lumen stricture includes an elongated balloon having a main diameter. The balloon catheter includes a coating layer overlying an exterior surface of the balloon. The coating layer includes one or more water-soluble additives and an initial drug load of a therapeutic agent.