Patent ID: 8480619

Claim:
A balloon catheter, comprising: a balloon support member having a hollow axial lumen and open distal end for allowing passage of a guidewire therethrough; a balloon disposed around the balloon support member; and an annular balloon seal disposed proximate to a distal end of the balloon catheter, the balloon seal comprising a flexible member having a distal end attached to and forming a fluid-tight seal with a distal end of the balloon, the flexible member and an interior wall of the balloon defining an annular space, wherein an open gap between a proximal end of the flexible member and the interior balloon wall allows for fluid communication between an interior of the balloon and the annular space, and wherein the balloon seal defines a central passageway for allowing passage therethrough of a guidewire extending out the distal end of the balloon support member, wherein the balloon seal is configured to form a substantially fluid tight seal around each of a plurality of guidewires having different outer diameters.