Angioplasty and stent delivery are the most widely used applications of high-pressure
balloons.
Dilatation balloons are employed to dilate and unblock arteries that feed the heart
in percutaneous translumenal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
- Sizes range from 2 to 4 mm in diameter and 10 to 40 mm in length;
- Rated pressure capability – 10-20 atm
Dilatation balloons are also used for dilatation of arteries other than the coronary
arteries (PTA: Percutaneous translumenal angioplasty (PTA))
- Sizes range from 4 to 12 mm in diameter and 20 to 100 mm in length;
- Rated pressure capability – 8-20 atm
High pressure balloons are also used and are constantly being developed to dilate
restrictions and blockages virtually everywhere in the body. These uses include:
- Esophageal dilatation
- Billiary dilatation
- Urethral dilatation
- Fallopian tube dilatation
- Heart value dilatation (valvuloplasty)
- Tear duct dilatation
- Carpal tunnel dilatation
Angioplasty balloons may be formed in various sizes ranging from small coronary
size balloons to large diameter balloons used in peripheral arteries.
Balloons may also be formed with different cone angles to meet various balloon
taper requirements.
Balloons are formed in a variety of sizes using high performance materials. Pictured
here are balloon sizes ranging from 2 to 25mm in diameter. A small round balloon
may be used in fallopian tube plasty while a large balloon may be used in valvuloplasty.