Patent ID: RE39668

Claim:
An intravascular catheter with an exchangeable shaft section, comprising: a) an elongated tubular proximal shaft section having proximal and distal ends and a first inner lumen extending therein; b) an elongated distal shaft section having proximal and distal ends, a port in the distal end of the distal shaft section, a second inner lumen extending therein in fluid communication with the first inner lumen in the proximal shaft section and a third inner lumen which is configured to slidably receive a guidewire and which extends therein to the port in the distal end of the distal shaft section ; and , the distal end of the proximal shaft section being releasably connected to the proximal end of the distal shaft section to effect fluid communication between the first and second inner lumens; and c) means to releasably interconnect the distal end of the proximal shaft section and the proximal end of the distal shaft section to effect fluid communication between the first and second inner lumens an inflatable balloon provided on the distal shaft section, having an interior in fluid communication with the second inner lumen in the distal section .