Patent ID: 8454673

Claim:
A stent delivery system having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising: a hypotube with a proximal and distal end and having a continuous cut formed therein, the cut having a variable pitch complex spiral configuration with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hypotube; a balloon defining an interior; a hub defining a proximal inflation port; and a flexible shaft having a proximal and distal end; the shaft extending between the balloon and hub; the hub being affixed to the proximal end of the flexible shaft, and the balloon being affixed to the flexible shaft at or near its distal end; the flexible shaft defining an inflation lumen extending from the proximal inflation port to the interior of the balloon, the flexible shaft defining a distal guidewire port at or near the distal end of the catheter and a proximal guidewire port positioned between the hub and balloon, the flexible shaft defining a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal and distal guidewire ports; at least a portion of the shaft including an inner tubular body and an outer tubular body, each having a proximal and distal end; the outer body surrounding at least a portion of the inner body; wherein the outer body includes the hypotube, and wherein the hypotube has a proximal and distal end, and extends from the proximal end of the shaft to a point at or near where the balloon is affixed to the flexible shaft, and the continuous cut provides a flexibility transition from a proximal portion to a distal portion of the outer body.