Balloon with reinforcement and/or expansion control fibers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catheter systems for introducing and implanting an expandable stent member in a body. The catheter includes a catheter member having first and second ends, the first end having an inflatable portion, a lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable portion and the second end for inflating the inflatable portion. The expandable stent member is capable of permanent deformation when expanded. At least a portion of the stent member is attached to the inflatable portion by a bond and whereby upon inflation of the inflatable portion the bond is released from the stent member to permit deployment of the stent member and removal of the catheter member. The bond may be formed by the same or different material than the balloon surface. For example, an adhesive may be used. Additionally, the surface of the balloon may be softened and the stent member may be embedded into the softened portion and allowed to return to its original unsoftened state, thereby adhesively connecting the stent to the inflatable balloon.

1 . A dilatation balloon comprising fibers in a matrix material.  
     
     
         2 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said fibers are reinforcement fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said fibers are expansion control fibers.  
     
     
         4 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said fibers are embedded in the matrix material of the balloon.  
     
     
         5 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 4  wherein said fibers are embedded in the matrix material of the balloon in a helical pattern.  
     
     
         6 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said fibers are thermoplastic.  
     
     
         7 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 6  wherein said fibers are non-elastomeric.  
     
     
         8 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 6  wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said matrix material is thermoplastic.  
     
     
         10 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 9  wherein said matrix material comprises an elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  wherein said matrix material comprises polyurethane.  
     
     
         12 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  where said matrix material is non-elastomeric and said fibers are elastomeric.  
     
     
         13 . The dilatation balloon of  claim 1  further in combination with a catheter assembly, a stent or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         14 . A catheter system for introducing and implanting a stent member in a body comprising a catheter member having first and second ends, said first end having an inflatable portion comprising a matrix material and fibers, a lumen in fluid communication with said inflatable portion and said second end to provide means for inflating said inflatable portion.  
     
     
         15 . The catheter system of  claim 14  further in combination with a stent.  
     
     
         16 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said fibers are reinforcement fibers.  
     
     
         17 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said fibers are expansion control fibers.  
     
     
         18 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said fibers are embedded in the matrix material of the inflatable portion.  
     
     
         19 . The catheter system of claim fibers are embedded in the matrix material of the inflatable portion in a helical pattern.  
     
     
         20 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said fibers are thermoplastic.  
     
     
         21 . The catheter system of  claim 20  wherein said fibers are non-elastomeric.  
     
     
         22 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         23 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said inflatable portion is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         24 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said inflatable portion is formed from polyurethane.  
     
     
         25 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein said inflatable portion is formed of a non-elastomeric material enclosed within an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         26 . The catheter system of  claim 14  further comprising an expandable stent member capable of permanent deformation when expanded.  
     
     
         27 . The catheter system of  claim 14  wherein at least a portion of said stent member is releasably attached to said inflatable portion by a bond.