Abstract: An apparatus for separating a balloon from a catheter member of a balloon is capable of melting and breaking a heat-meltable connecting member through which the balloon is connected to the catheter body by causing an electric current to flow between at least a pair of electrodes arranged on or in the vicinity of the connecting member. The apparatus has impedance measuring means for measuring the impedance of an electrode circuit including a pair of electrodes and lead lines connected to the electrodes, and judging means for comparing the measured value of the impedance with a predetermined reference range and capable of producing an abnormal signal when the measured value of the impedance does not fall within the predetermined reference range.

Abstract: This invention provides a releasable balloon catheter having a portion cuttable by torsion or a portion cuttable by heating at or near a joint part between the catheter body and the balloon. When the balloon catheter is inserted into a vessel and carried to the desired site by the blood stream and the balloon is inflated by introducing a fluid into the balloon and is fixed at the desired site face-to-face with the wall of the vessel, torsion or heating causes the balloon to be released from the catheter body. The balloon catheter is used to embolize vascular lesions.

Abstract: This invention provides a releasable balloon catheter having a tube cuttable by torsion or a tube cuttable by heating at a joint part between the catheter body and the balloon. When the balloon catheter is inserted into a vessel and carried to the desired site by the blood stream and the balloon is inflated by introducing a fluid into the balloon and is fixed at the desired site face-to-face with the wall of the vessel, torsion or heating causes the balloon to be released from the catheter body. The balloon catheter is used to embolize vascular lesions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a balloon catheter including a catheter and a balloon bonded to the catheter through an adhesive in which the outer surface of the balloon is contiguous to the outer surface of the catheter through a smooth surface. In this balloon catheter, the balloon is tightly fixed to the catheter and there is no risk of separation of the balloon. Further, since the balloon catheter has a smooth surface in the connecting portion, insertion of the balloon catheter into a blood vessel and withdrawal of the balloon catheter from the blood vessel can be performed very easily and smoothly. Accordingly, this balloon catheter can be used very advantageously for the angiography.