balloon catheter

noun

: a catheter with an inflatable tip which can be expanded (as by air or water) especially to hold the catheter in place or to expand a partly closed or obstructed bodily passage, opening, or vessel (such as a coronary artery)

called also balloon-tipped catheter

see balloon angioplasty

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of balloon catheter was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near balloon catheter

Cite this Entry

“Balloon catheter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balloon%20catheter. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

balloon catheter

noun
variants also balloon-tipped catheter
: a catheter with an inflatable tip which can be expanded (as by air or water) especially to hold the catheter in place or to expand a partly closed or obstructed bodily passage, opening, or vessel (as a coronary artery) see balloon angioplasty, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
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