Patent attributes
A balloon catheter includes a flexible elongated shaft and a balloon fixed to the distal portion of the shaft. The balloon expands and contracts. The balloon includes an effective expansion portion and at least one projection portion on the effective expansion portion. The effective expansion portion possesses a cylindrical shape when the balloon is expanded, and the projection portion extends for a predetermined length along the axial direction of the balloon. The projection portion has first and second parts so that the inner surface of the first part of the balloon faces the inner surface of the second part of the balloon. The first and second parts project radially outwardly away from immediately adjacent parts of the balloon. The inner surface of the first part of the balloon is at least partially welded to the inner surface of the second part of the balloon.
