Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. The length of the fibers of the second group varies progressively in accordance to their proximity to the fibers of the first group; the fibers of the second group closest to the fibers of the first group being longer than the fibers of the second group further from the fibers of the first group. The fiber of the second fiber layer winds circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the balloon substantially over the entire length of the balloon.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing the internal pressure within the balloon. The balloon comprises a balloon layer having an outer surface, the balloon layer including a base layer, a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer. The base layer is formed of a polymer material. The first reinforcing layer is one of either a plurality of discrete inelastic fibers oriented substantially parallel to the long axis of the balloon and a first layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. The second reinforcing layer is one of either at least one inelastic fiber wrapped around the circumference of the balloon substantially transverse to the long axis of the balloon and a second layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon comprises a base balloon including a pair of spaced-apart, generally conical end sections and a generally cylindrical center section connected therebetween. A braided fabric sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the base balloon, wherein the sleeve is formed of at least three substantially inelastic fibers intertwined in such a way that no two of the three fibers are twisted exclusively around one another. The sleeve is permanently affixed to the outer surface of the base balloon so as to prevent excessive expansion of the base balloon when the base balloon is internally pressurized.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of randomly oriented fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A catheter shaft for a balloon dilation catheter to be utilized with a guidewire includes an outer tubular member having a bore, a proximal end and a distal end with a guidewire tubular member coaxially disposed within the bore such that the inner surface of the outer tubular member and the outer surface of the guidewire tubular member define an annular inflation/deflation lumen extending between the proximal end of the shaft and the distal end of the outer tubular member with a plurality of discrete, spaced apart legs extending radially outward from the guidewire tubular member that serve as a stop or stops preventing movement of the guidewire tubular member into the outer tubular member when the legs abut the distal end of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A shaft for a balloon dilation catheter comprises a proximal portion wherein a guidewire tubular member is disposed coaxially within an outer tubular member, a shaft transitional portion, wherein the guidewire member is disposed within the outer member, with at least one distal tubular member not present in the proximal portion, a shaft distal portion, wherein the guidewire member and the distal members are disposed side-by-side and encased within a distal body, and fluid-tight barrier within a proximal lumen blocking the flow of fluid in the proximal lumen, but allowing the proximal lumen to remain in fluid communication with a distal lumens.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon dilation catheter includes a catheter shaft with a proximal tubular member defining a proximal inflation/deflation lumen for conveying fluids therethrough with a distal portion of the bore of proximal tubular member filled with a fluid-impervious barrier, a distal body extending from the fluid-impervious barrier to the distal end of the shaft, a plurality of distal tubular members defining distal inflation/deflation lumens in fluid communication with the proximal inflation/deflation lumen and extending through the fluid-impervious barrier and the distal body to the distal end of the shaft distal portion, a guidewire tubular member having a bore extending from a side aperture formed in the distal body through the distal body alongside the distal tubular members in a multi-lumen arrangement, and a plurality of stiffening members extending from within the fluid-impervious barrier into the distal body to a point within the shaft distal portion.

Abstract: A non-compliant fiber-reinforced medical balloon comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer embedded in a continuous matrix of thermally-weldable polymer material defining a barrel wall, cone walls and neck walls. The fibers of the first fiber layer run substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fibers of the first fiber layer have a pattern of different lengths and are divisible into a first group and a second group based on length. Each fiber of the first group begins in the neck wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the neck wall at the opposite end of the balloon. Substantially all of the fibers of the first group have a generally uniform length. Each fiber of the second group begins in the cone wall at one end of the balloon, extends continuously in the longitudinal direction and terminates in the cone wall at the opposite end of the balloon.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.

Abstract: A shaft for a balloon dilation catheter comprises a proximal portion wherein a guidewire tubular member is disposed coaxially within an outer tubular member, a shaft transitional portion, wherein the guidewire member is disposed within the outer member, with at least one distal tubular member not present in the proximal portion, a shaft distal portion, wherein the guidewire member and the distal members are disposed side-by-side and encased within a distal body, and fluid-tight barrier within a proximal lumen blocking the flow of fluid in the proximal lumen, but allowing the proximal lumen to remain in fluid communication with a distal lumens.

Abstract: A rapid ex balloon dilation catheter includes a catheter shaft with a proximal tubular member defining a proximal inflation/deflation lumen for conveying fluids therethrough with a distal portion of the bore of proximal tubular member filled with a fluid-impervious barrier, a distal body extending from the fluid-impervious barrier to the distal end of the shaft, a plurality of distal tubular members defining distal inflation/deflation lumens in fluid communication with the proximal inflation/deflation lumen and extending through the fluid-impervious barrier and the distal body to the distal end of the shaft distal portion, a guidewire tubular member having a bore extending from a side aperture formed in the distal body through the distal body alongside the distal tubular members in a multi-lumen arrangement, and a plurality of stiffening members extending from within the fluid-impervious barrier into the distal body to a point within the shaft distal portion.

Abstract: A non-compliant medical balloon comprises a base balloon including a pair of spaced-apart, generally conical end sections and a generally cylindrical center section connected therebetween. A braided fabric sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the base balloon, wherein the sleeve is formed of at least three substantially inelastic fibers intertwined in such a way that no two of the three fibers are twisted exclusively around one another. The sleeve is permanently affixed to the outer surface of the base balloon so as to prevent excessive expansion of the base balloon when the base balloon is internally pressurized.

Abstract: A medical balloon includes a generally cylindrical barrel wall having proximal and distal ends disposed between tapered cone walls and neck walls with a fiber layer comprised of circumferentially wrapped ribbon-shaped fiber embedded in a continuous matrix of polymer material defining the tapered cone walls and barrel wall, wherein the distance between the fiber wraps defines a fiber pitch or density that varies over the working length of the barrel wall in non-linear increments, for example in step-wise increments over the length of the barrel wall.