| abstract |
A balloon element for use in a catheter has a multi-layered single-walled structure and a compliance characteristic exhibiting a first, non-compliant region at low operating pressures and a secondary compliant region at higher operating pressures. The properties of the balloon element permit it to serve for both dilatation of bodily vessels and stent delivery and implantation. A method of manufacturing the balloon element involves extrusion of a tube of material, such as PEEK, which serves as an inner wall layer of the finished balloon element and provides the desired strength and compliance characteristics of the balloon element, and a post-extrusion over the first tube, which provides an outer wall layer in the finished balloon element imparting abrasion resistance and other desirable mechanical properties. |