Patent ID: 6824554
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An angioplasty catheter comprising:a catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an angioplasty balloon mounted on said shaft near said distal end; a guidewire lumen extending through said shaft adapted for receiving a steerable guidewire, wherein said guidewire lumen has an outside wall and a permanently formed proximal opening at or near the proximal end of said shaft adapted for insertion of a guidewire into said guidewire lumen; and a slit in the outside wall of said guidewire lumen extending distally from said proximal opening at least about 40 cm. for permitting a guidewire, when deployed in said guidewire lumen to be moved laterally from the guidewire lumen through the outside wall of said guidewire lumen.