Patent ID: 7294124

Claim:
A catheter apparatus comprising: a distal tubular member defining a first lumen, and a proximal hypotube comprising a tubular shaft comprising a tubular wall defining a second lumen and a main section integrally connected to a distal section, the distal section comprising a first section integrally connected to a second section, the first section being integrally connected to the main section and disposed between the main section and the second section, the first section comprising at least one slit extending through the tubular wall, the at least one slit extending at least partially and circumferentially around the tubular wall, the at least one slit having a traverse length greater than a longitudinal length, the second section comprising a non-tubular stinger, the second section comprises an elongated axially extending cut out through the tubular wall and the stinger is formed from a remaining portion of the tubular wall, a balloon, the at least one slit being disposed in close proximity to the stinger, the distal tubular member connected to the proximal hypotube such that the first and second lumens fluidly connected to form an inflation lumen, and the balloon fluidly coupled to the inflation lumen, the stinger extending distally from the distal end of the hypotube into the distal tubular member.