Abstract: The present invention relates to a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, characterized in that: a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having reinforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; and b. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness. The invention also provides a balloon catheter in which the balloon portion is a balloon of the invention.

Abstract: A balloon-free urinary catheter (15) comprising a tubular retention section (15A) shaped to locate in the neck of a patient's bladder and a tubular drainage section (15B) which, in use, is received in the patient's urethra. The retention section (15A) has a diameter which is normally greater than the neck of the bladder (2) but is stretchable on the application of an axial force thereto to reduce its diameter to less than that of the urethra (3). This allows the catheter to pass through the urethra until the retention section (15A) is positioned inside the bladder where it expands and returns to its original size on release of the axial force and locates in the neck of the bladder to form a seal therewith.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a balloon portion for a balloon catheter for radially expanding a vessel in the body of a mammal, which catheter comprises a tube portion with a passage therethrough and a hollow expandable balloon portion defined by a fluid impervious wall and secured to the tube portion, which balloon portion can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid passed through the passage, such that:a. the wall of the balloon portion is formed from a flexible substantially fluid impervious material having re-inforcing fibers formed integrally with the wall material; andb. the balloon portion is preformed to the desired radial diameter at its inflated state having smaller diameter end portions and a wider diameter portion intermediate the said ends and has a substantially uniform wall thickness.