Patent ID: 6648854
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A single lumen balloon-tipped micro catheter for use in combination with a movable guide wire, comprising:an elongate shaft having a proximal portion, a mid portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending therethrough, the distal portion comprising a reinforcement layer disposed between an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer, the reinforcement layer defining a reinforced region of the shaft, the reinforcement layer terminating proximal of a distal end of the inner and outer layers to define an unreinforced region of the shaft; an inflatable balloon having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior, the proximal and distal ends of the balloon connected to the distal portion of the shaft such that the reinforcement layer of the distal portion of the shaft extends into the interior of the balloon to thereby eliminate significant transitions in stiffness; an inflation port extending through the distal portion of the shaft to provide a fluid path between the lumen of the shaft and the interior of the balloon; and a seal connected to the distal portion of the shaft distal of the inflation port, the seal having a lumen sized to form a fluid seal with the movable guide wire disposed therein.