Abstract: Dilation system comprising a dilatable device made from a thermoplastic material having a closed end and an open end, the open end being connected to a pressure source, said dilatable device being able to be inflated by the application of pressure and deflated by loss of pressure to retain almost its original dimension, wherein the dilatable device has at least two layers (121, 161) of said thermoplastic material and sandwiched in between said two layers (121, 161) of thermoplastic material a braided mesh (41) made from a multitude of metal wires, wherein the braided mesh (41) of the inflatable device in the non-pressurized state has a braiding angle (?) of less than 54.7° in at least one portion of the inflatable device and a braiding angle (?) of more than 54.

Abstract: A dilation catheter comprising a sealed distal end section (8), an open proximal end section (3) and an elongated middle section with an elongated flexible balloon section (11). The middle section comprises an inner elastic tube (1), a reinforcement net (2) made of metallic monofilaments surrounding the inner tube (1) and an outer elastic tube (6) surrounding the reinforcement net (2). The reinforcement net (2) is made of metallic monofilaments crossing each other and being helically wound around the longitudinal axis of the middle section. There is no special bond between the monofilaments so that said filaments are moveable with respect to each other in the crossover points (5) during expansion of the balloon section (11). As a result the entire catheter assumes the geometrical configuration of the blood vessel during insertion and inflation of the dilation section without noticeable axial dislocation or distortion of the natural bent of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A small diameter steerable guidewire with uniform flexibility in its distal region particularly well suited for PTCA use is provided. The guidewire has a diameter of less than 0.50 mm and is formed from an elongated substantially cylindrical main core wire with a distal cylindrical region of reduced diameter at the distal end of the core wire. A safety wire is attached to the distal end of the region of reduced diameter and a safety tip attached to the distal end of the safety wire and coil. The safety wire and coil may be formed of a radio opaque material so the position of the wire can be accurately determined when in use.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use in angioplasty and the like includes a shaft made of an elastomeric tube reinforced with longitudinally inelastic filaments. In the distal balloon portion of the unpressurized shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is less than a predetermined critical angle. In the adjacent movable portion of the shaft, the filaments lie at an angle which is greater than the critical angle. When the shaft is pressurized, the balloon portion expands in diameter and the balloon portion contracts in diameter until the filaments in each portion lie at the critical angle. At the same time, the length of the movable portion increases so as to offset the reduction in length of the balloon portion.