Patent ID: 9149612
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for performing procedure within a patient's body, comprising: a tubular member comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a patient's body, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a low-compliance balloon carried on the distal end comprising a central region and end regions transitioning from the central region to attachment locations on the distal end, the balloon expandable from a contracted condition to an expanded condition; and a supporting structure comprising a plurality of substantially inelastic fibers extending helically around an outer surface of the balloon, the fibers comprising first ends fixedly attached to the distal end at first locations such that the first ends cannot move relative to the distal end and second opposite ends fixedly attached to the distal end at second locations such that the second ends cannot move relative to the distal end, while intermediate regions of the fibers are movable relative to the central region of the balloon such that, during expansion of the balloon, the end regions of the balloon and the first and second locations move towards one another and shorten an overall length of the balloon to enable the balloon and supporting structure to retain flexibility in bending or curving to conform to intravascular walls or prevent straightening of the balloon when the balloon is expanded, wherein one or more of the plurality of fibers are wound helically in a first direction and one or more of the plurality of fibers are wound helically in a second direction such that the fibers overlap one another at one or more intersecting locations without being coupled to one another at the one or more intersecting locations.