Foils is adapted to be marked readily by having a water-soluble, water-based or other surface coating (22) applied thereto. The adapted surface (22) permits ink to mark the foil. Such foil may be used for manufacturing balloons (10) or wrapping materials. A method of manufacturing such a foil comprises the step of spraying onto the surface or otherwise adapting the surface (22) of the foil with a readily markable substance, such as a water-soluble coating, to permit printing of chosen designs (2...

The rigid helium balloon has a helium compartment and a separate, channel portion. Helium gas is filled into the helium compartment through a valve in the balloon. Fiberglass rod members are inserted into the channel portion to help retain the desired shape of the balloon. The rod members also provide a counterbalancing weight which prevents the balloon from floating upward. Thus, the balloon, once released into the air, will retain its shape and remain floating at the height from which it was r...

A catheter and/or balloon for a medical catheter is formed from a blend of polymeric components, including a first crystalline polymeric component and a second softening polymeric component. The polymeric material can also include a third compatibilizing agent to facilitate blending the first two polymeric components together. The first polymeric component can be a polyester or a polyamide, and the second polymeric component can be a polyolefin, or an ethylene copolymer. The third polymeric comp...

A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40.degree.<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(...

A lighter than air balloon constructed from a flexible film material which has coated one or more of its interior or exterior surfaces thereon a barrier material which is not a pure metal and which has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 0.5 cm.sup.3 /100 in.sup.2 /24 hr. at 75.degree. F., 65% relative humidity, said balloon being able to float when inflated with a lighter than air gas and a process for producing the balloon is provided.

Disclosed is a focal balloon having at least one reference zone and a focal zone. In one embodiment, the reference zone and focal zone are inflatable to a first generally cylindrical profile at a first pressure. At a second, greater pressure, the focal section expands to a second, greater diameter, while the reference zone remains substantially at the first diameter. In an alternate embodiment, the focal zone and the reference zone are inflatable to their respective predetermined diameters at th...

A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(75%) and...

A method and apparatus for forming perfusion balloons from thermoplastic materials. A helical member having a cross section corresponding to a desired perfusion channel cross section is placed in a tubular mold in contact with the mold wall. A thermoplastic tube is inserted into the helical member in the mold. The assembly is heated to the glass transition temperature of the tube and the tube is pressurized to expand into contact with the helical member and mold wall. After cooling, the formed b...

A tool for tying knots in the necks of inflatable objects, such as balloons. The tool is an elongated member having two side surfaces, a top surface, a bottom surface, and opposing tapered ends. Each tapered end contains a recessed area in the top surface. There is a receiving slit in each recessed area. The distal portion of the receiving slit may have a "V" shape to increase ease of access of the balloon neck. The tool is made of a lubricating plastic, such as a mixture of ABS rubber and at le...

Balloon assemblies and valves for balloons have improved inflation capabilities. The inlet ends of the balloon valves are disrupted either with a slit or a portion of material removal to prevent the inlet end from being folded back into the valve passageway during insertion of an inflation probe. With the inlet end slit, the slit portions are readily folded back by the inflation probe, thus preventing potential blockage of the valve inlet.