| abstract |
A balloon dilatation catheter is disclosed which incorporates a longitudinally collapsible shaft section including a longitudinally collapsible guide wire lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may also include a longitudinally collapsible inflation lumen. The longitudinally collapsible shaft section may take the form of a polymer-encased braid, a polymer bellow, or a helical tube. A longitudinally rigid member may be connected to the distal end of the longitudinally collapsible shaft section in order to facilitate extension and contraction of the collapsible section. Methods of using such a catheter system are also disclosed. |