| abstract |
A steerable dilatation catheter with perfusion holes for use in coronary angioplasty. The catheter has inner and outer tubular members, with an inflatable balloon near the distal end of the outer tubular member. The guidewire extends through a lumen in the inner tubular member, and the distal end portions of the tubular members are sealed to the guidewire to close the distal end of this passageway. An annular lumen is formed between the inner and outer tubular members for the passage of inflating fluid to the interior of the balloon. The sidewalls of the tubular members are sealed together completely around the inner periphery of the distal ends thereof and over a limited area proximal to the balloon. Perfusion holes extend through the sealed sidewalls of the tubular members on both the proximal and distal of the balloon. |