| abstract |
The present invention provides a catheter balloon having an advantageous cone design. In particular, the catheter balloon has at least one cone section with a volume in mm 3 such that, when the ratio of one cone volume to the transverse cross-sectional area in mm 2 of the inflated median section is at least about 2.1 mm. In certain applications, the advantageous cone design can assist in the preferential expansion of the cone sections prior to any significant expansion of the median section. The balloon can thus advantageously be utilized as a component of a balloon catheter or prosthesis delivery system, also provided via the present invention. When so utilized, the inventive balloon can assist in reducing any shifting of the balloon and/or prosthesis during inflation or delivery, respectively. Methods of utilizing the balloon catheters in dilation procedures, as well as the prosthesis delivery systems to deliver prosthesis, are also provided. |