Patent ID: 6013055
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A balloon for a catheter, comprising:a. an inflatable membrane formed of a flexible material defining an inflation chamber which is adapted for inflation from a folded configuration to an expanded configuration and deflation back to a folded configuration, said balloon having a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal and a distal end;b. a number of longitudinal ribs formed in said flexible material of said inflation chamber which extend longitudinally between said proximal and said distal end;c. a number of perpendicular ribs formed in said flexible material of said inflation chamber which extend between said number of longitudinal ribs, said number of perpendicular ribs being generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said number of perpendicular ribs having a higher resistance to collapse during deflation; andd. a number of indentations formed in said flexible material of said inflation chamber, each indentation positioned between two adjacent ones of said number of longitudinal ribs and extending longitudinally at least a portion of the length between said proximal end and said distal end, said number of indentations enhancing said collapse of said inflation chamber from said expanded configuration to said folded configuration.