Medical balloon with coextruded radiopaque portion

Abstract

A balloon catheter includes an elongated, tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a balloon positioned along the distal end of the shaft. A portion of a wall of the balloon partially comprises a coextruded radiopaque material. Related aspects and methods are also disclosed.

1 . A balloon catheter, comprising:
 an elongated, tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a balloon positioned along the distal end of the shaft, a portion of a wall of the balloon partially comprising a coextruded radiopaque material.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a working surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a full length surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a first cone section of the balloon. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises at least one strip extending along a second cone section of the balloon. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a plurality of radiopaque portions. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of radiopaque portions comprises a longitudinal strip. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the strips extend at least along a working surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of radiopaque portions are spaced apart in a circumferential direction. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and wherein the radiopaque portion is provided on the barrel section. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and wherein the radiopaque portion is provided on one or both of the cone sections. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque portion comprises a layer of the balloon wall. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the layer comprises an inner layer. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the layer comprises an outer layer. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter of  claim 14 , wherein the outer layer is etched. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and the layer extends along the entire barrel section. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the balloon includes a barrel section and conical sections at each end of the barrel section, and the layer extends along the entirety of one or both of the conical sections. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein all portions of the wall comprise coextruded radiopaque material. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further including a drug on the balloon. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming a balloon for a balloon catheter, comprising:
 forming a tube by coextruding a first material having a radiopacifier with a second material; and   creating a balloon with the tube, the balloon having generally conical sections and a generally cylindrical section between the conical sections.   
     
     
         22 .- 27 . (canceled)