Patent ID: 6517515
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A catheter tip assembly for crossing both vessel lumen obstructions or placed stents, said tip assembly comprising:an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide wire receiving lumen and an inflation lumen extending therethrough; an inflatable balloon disposed proximate said distal end of said elongate tubular member, wherein a distal portion of said elongate tubular member extends distally beyond said inflatable balloon to form a catheter tip which defines a first tapered leading edge for crossing vessel lumen obstructions or placed stents, wherein said inflatable balloon has an interior in fluid communication with said inflation lumen; and a distal inflatable tip balloon disposed distal of said inflatable balloon, wherein said distal inflatable tip balloon has an interior in fluid communication with said inflatable balloon interior and said distal inflatable tip balloon is adapted and configured to shift between a first generally collapsed position and a second generally expanded position such that when in the second position a portion of an exterior surface of said distal inflatable tip balloon defines a second leading edge that aligns with said first tapered leading edge to aid in crossing a stent or vessel obstruction without said leading edge catching on a stent strut or vessel obstruction.