title: Comparison of the mechanical properties of detachable balloons for embolotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The forces of detachment and the durability of inflation of three different embolization balloons were compared: the Mini-balloon, the detachable silicone balloon, and the gold-valve balloon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Balloons were considered small (4-6 mm), medium (6-8 mm), or large (8-11 mm), depending on fully inflated diameters. Four Mini-balloons were used in each size category to compare detachment force and inflation duration against three detachable silicone balloons and three gold-valve balloons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All small balloons detached with the same force, while the medium gold-valve balloon and large Mini-balloon detached with less force than their counterparts. The detachable silicone balloons had the shortest release times and a favorable detachment force profile. All balloons remained fully inflated for 11 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most or all vessels should be adequately blocked with any of these devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dormandy
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D012828:Silicones