Patent ID: 6921411

Claim:
A method of loading a balloon catheter onto a guidewire in preparation for advancing the catheter within a patient's vasculature and into a coronary artery of the patient, comprising: a) providing an elongated catheter configured for percutaneous introduction into the patient's vasculature having i) a proximal end and a distal end, ii) an inflation fluid passageway, iii) an inflatable balloon on the distal portion thereof having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation fluid passageway, and iv) a guidewire receiving passageway which extends through the interior of the balloon; and b) loading the catheter onto an elongated guidewire having a proximal end, a distal end, and a flexible distal portion such that the proximal end of the guidewire enters the distal end of the catheter and exits the catheter proximal of the inflatable balloon and at least 10 cm from the distal end of the catheter and a substantial distance from the proximal end of the catheter.