Abstract: A method is disclosed for introducing a stent inside the body of a patient. The stent is made of a material that cures due to the action of light. A catheter having an inflatable balloon adjacent its distal end is provided. Also provided is a light conductor comprising a transparent, elongated member, the elongated member having a smooth, outer wall along most of its length with a portion of the light conductor within the balloon having a rougher outer wall to allow light to project laterally outwardly through the wall. The balloon carries on substantially its entire surface a partially reflective layer to permit the light to be partly reflected and partly transmitted through the same portions of the wall of the balloon. The stent is cured by providing light to the light conductor.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprising a tube-like basic body with a distal end and a proximal end and a balloon member positioned adjacent the distal end. A first light conductor extends from the proximal end into the balloon member, with the first light conductor having a light-absorbing section adjacent the proximal end and a light-emitting section at a location within the balloon. A second light conductor is connected to and continuous with the first light conductor and forms a continuous light conductor tracing a loop inside the balloon member. The second light conductor is operative to sense light emitted by the light-emitting section of the first light conductor. The second light conductor also has a light-emitting section at a location adjacent the proximal end.