Patent attributes
The present invention provides a balloon having a non-uniform thickness that is adapted to facilitate folding of the balloon. The balloon comprises at least one relatively thin section formed between inner and outer surfaces of the balloon, and at least one relatively thick section formed between the inner and outer surfaces. The balloon may be formed from a balloon preform that similarly comprises at least one relatively thin section and at least one relatively thick section. The shape of the balloon preform may be formed, for example, by extrusion. The balloon preform may be placed in a balloon mold having a substantially cylindrical interior surface, and blow-molded to form the finished balloon configuration. The balloon comprises a non-uniform thickness, while comprising a substantially cylindrical outer diameter both after removal from the balloon mold and in an inflated state.
