Patent ID: 8109951

Claim:
A device for implementing a cutting balloon intervention, comprising: an inflatable cutting balloon having axially running blades mounted thereon; a catheter sheath having a tapered, rigid section extending through the balloon for mounting the cutting balloon thereon; a hollow, flexible drive shaft disposed within the catheter sheath and extending through the balloon, wherein the drive shaft accommodates a rotating IVUS signal line alongside an inflation line for the balloon; an IVUS sensor disposed directly forward of the balloon and the rotating IVUS signal line; wherein the tapered, rigid section accommodates the hollow, flexible drive shaft for the IVUS sensor; and wherein the balloon is mounted directly over a tapered portion of the tapered rigid section such that upon expansion of the balloon, a first end of the tapered portion is in contact with the drive shaft and a second end of the tapered portion is not in contact with the drive shaft to prevent restraint of the drive shaft and to enable the drive shaft to be secured yet move freely within the tapered portion.