The invention relates to <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" /" target="_blank"><em><strong>silicone foley catheters</strong></em> </a>for medical and surgical procedures; particularly to improvements in silicone catheters having an expandable silicone balloon on the distal end thereof to facilitate the removal of thrombus (clots) or gall stones from a vessel, for occluding a vessel or for securing the catheter within a vessel for the irrigation or drainage of fluid through the catheter.

A<a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" /" target="_blank"> <em><strong>silicone foley catheter </strong></em></a>known as an embolectomy catheter is used to remove emboli and thrombus from the veins and arteries of the body. These emboli typically form around the valves of the heart as a small clot that is dislodged and follows the blood stream into the extremities of the body. The clots are particularly dangerous if transmitted to the brain and can result in a stroke. The emboli more typically become lodged in small peripheral arteries, and in the stationary location, the clot is referred to as a thrombus. Emboli can also form in the veins of the body where they tend to lodge as thrombus around the venous valves. The thrombus eventually increases in size to block the vessel and are usually required to be removed. The location of the clot is determined using fluoroscopy, and an incision is made in the major vessel near the surface having a branch leading to the clotted portion of the vessel. The embolectomy catheter with the balloon deflated is inserted through the incision and along the vessel until the distal tip is carefully moved through the clot. The balloon is then inflated on the distal side of the clot and the catheter is gradually withdrawn; and the clot is removed at the point of the incision, and the vessel is restored. The strength, durability and integrity of the balloon is critical to the procedure.

A catheter known as a biliary catheter functions similarly to that of the embolectomy catheter and is utilized in the removal of gall stone from the biliary tract. The balloon is used to force the gall stones along and out of the tract and therefore the reliability, strength and durability of the balloon is critical to a successful procedure.

Another type of <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href=" /" target="_blank"><em><strong>silicone foley catheter</strong></em> </a>known as a Foley catheter, is used for insertion in the urethra and consists of a tube containing a primary lumen for flushing or drainage of an appropriate fluid through the bladder. The tube includes a secondary inflation lumen for inflation of a balloon at the distal end thereof for anchoring the catheter inside the vessel of the patient. Once the tube is anchored, body fluids can be drained or therapeutic fluids can be injected into the body through the primary lumen. When the catheter is no longer needed, the balloon is deflated by releasing the inflation fluid and the catheter is withdrawn from the body. The function and reliability of the balloon is critical to the successful use of such catheters.

Another type of silicone balloon catheter, known as an occlusion catheter, is used by insertion of the catheter into a desired location of a vessel then expanding the balloon to occlude the vessel and block the flow of blood or other fluid from passing through the vessel. The only proposed use of this type of catheter is dependent on the successful inflation, expanded integrity and deflation of the balloon, so the reliability and quality of the balloon is of the ultimate importance.