Patent ID: 6190358
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A dilatation catheter, comprising:an elongated catheter shaft having an outer wall and inner wall, the inner wall surrounding a central lumen,a guide wire tube having a distal portion of a first length, a proximal portion of a second length longer than the first length, an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the guide wire tube extends through at least a distal portion of the catheter shaft, with a fluid channel between the outer surface of the guide wire tube and the inner wall of the catheter shaft, wherein the inner surface of the guide wire tube forms a lumen for receiving a guide wire the lumen having a first diameter for the distal portion of the guide wire tube and a second diameter larger than the first diameter for the proximal portion of the guide wire tube,a balloon having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being attached to the distal portion of the catheter shaft, and the distal end being attached to the distal portion of the guide wire tube, the fluid channel serving as an inflation/deflation lumen for the balloon, whereinthe first length of the distal portion of the guide wire tube and the first diameter for the distal portion of the guide wire tube being selected such that when a guide wire is within the guide wire lumen, blood is substantially prevented from entering the proximal portion of the guide wire lumen and a less viscous anticoagulant in the proximal portion of the guide wire lumen is allowed to coat the surface of the guide wire within the distal portion of the guide wire lumen.