A dilatation balloon and catheter for insertion into a bodily conduit. The catheter
(10) includes shaft (12) and a dilatation balloon (24) at
the distal end of the shaft. The balloon is inflated via a central lumen (14)
in the shaft for delivery of a fluid inflation media. The balloon is fabricated
from a combination of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), preferably an engineering
thermoplastic elastomer (ETE), with a non-compliant structural polymeric material.
The combination may be a blend of the non-compliant structural polymer and the
TPE. Alternatively, the combination may be a layered balloon having, for example,
a non-compliant structural polymer inner layer and a soft, abrasion resistant,
elastomeric outer layer. Methods for fabricating the balloon from the combination
of a TPE and a non-compliant structural polymer are also disclosed.
