BALLOON CATHETER DEVICE
Balloon catheters having the strength and maximum inflated diameter characteristics of an angioplasty balloon and having the recovery characteristics during deflation of an elastic embolectomy balloon. The balloon catheter can be made in very small sizes and has a lubricious and chemically inert outer surface. The balloon catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways, is capable of rapid inflation and deflation and has high burst strengths. Balloon covers having these same characteristics are also described for use with conventional embolectomy balloons or angioplasty balloons.
1 . A balloon catheter comprising a catheter having a distal end and an inflatable balloon affixed to the distal end, said balloon comprising porous polytetrafluoroethylene and an elastomer, said balloon having a length and being configured to deliver a prosthesis, wherein said balloon is resistant to slippage of the prosthesis along the length of the balloon.
2 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis is a graft.
3 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said prosthesis is a stent.
4 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said porous polytetrafluoroethylene contains void spaces that are substantially sealed by the elastomer.
5 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer is silicone.
6 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer is a fluoroelastomer.
7 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said elastomer is a polyurethane.
8 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said porous polytetrafluoroethylene is helically wrapped.
9 . A balloon catheter according to claim 1 wherein said porous polytetrafluoroethylene is helically wrapped over a porous polytetrafluoroethylene substrate having longitudinally oriented fibrils.