Patent ID: 6723070
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A balloon catheter comprisinga thin and flexible shaft having a fluid supply and removal path extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft; and a balloon secured to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon being inflated when a fluid is supplied to an inside of the balloon, via the fluid supply and removal path, and the balloon being contracted when the fluid is removed from inside of the balloon, via the fluid supply and removal path; wherein a rigidity control core, more rigid than the shaft, is provided so that the rigidity control core is inserted from the proximal end of the shaft to a position adjacent the balloon and the rigidity control core is slidable substantially along an entire length of the shaft to select a rigidity of the shaft in a region of the rigidity control core, and a tip end of the rigidity control core is prevented from protruding out from the shaft.