| abstract |
A balloon dilatation catheter has a relatively stiff and strong proximal cannula made of a material such as for example metal hypotubing. The distal end of the catheter includes an inflatable medical device or balloon, an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen. A transition assembly is positioned between the proximal cannula and the distal end section. This transition assembly has a stiffening member within a transition tube, and provides for a flexible transition between the two components of diverse stiffness, namely the proximal cannula and the flexible distal end portion. A proximal end of the stiffening member may float within a distal end of the proximal cannula, but the stiffening member distal end is affixed to the shaft. The dilatation catheter may have a rapid exchange configuration, and is generally used in conjunction with a guiding catheter. During a procedure when the catheters are within the vascular system, the transition section of the dilatation catheter readily follows curved portions of the inserted guiding catheter. |