![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Balloon-catherter.png/640px-Balloon-catherter.png&w=640&q=50)
Balloon catheter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A balloon catheter is a type of "soft" catheter with an inflatable "balloon" at its tip which is used during a catheterization procedure to enlarge a narrow opening or passage within the body. The deflated balloon catheter is positioned, then inflated to perform the necessary procedure, and deflated again in order to be removed.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Balloon-catherter.png/320px-Balloon-catherter.png)
Some common uses include:
- angioplasty or balloon septostomy, via cardiac catheterization (heart cath)
- tuboplasty via uterine catheterization
- pyeloplasty using a detachable inflatable balloon stent positioned via a cystoscopic transvesicular approach.