Characteristics of pressure sensing balloons made of various polymeric materials.

A variety of polymeric materials (polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinylidine copolymer) have been evaluated for suitability in making of air-filled balloon to detect intraluminal pressure. The polyurethanes, in particular ECD, proved to be most suitable because of the ease of fabrication, low permeability to air and high frequency characteristics. Polyvinylidine copolymer was adequate but suffered from difficulties in fabrication. Polypropylene and polyethylene, available in film, were troublesome in making balloon and displayed low frequency characteristics.