Abstract: Apparatus for enhancing pushability and minimizing kinking of a balloon catheter is provided, wherein a catheter comprises inner and outer tubes, and a balloon that is proximally affixed to the outer tube and distally affixed to the inner tube. The outer tube extends distal to the proximal affixation point and at least partially into the balloon segment to provide additional stiffness and pushability. The outer tube may taper and connect to the inner tube or to radiopaque markers disposed thereon. The outer tube further may be selectively reinforced, as by using multipart construction or using different tube textures, to selectively provide added stiffness in areas susceptible to kinking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter arrangement comprising a guide wire tube 3 for receiving a guide wire 2 and an expandable balloon 7 fastened to the guide wire tube 3, the distal end 5 of the guide wire tube 3 projecting beyond the distal end of the balloon 7, the distal end 5 of the guide wire tube 3 being designed as a soft tip.

Abstract: The invention features a catheter having a stylet that increases columnar strength and axial force transmission ("pushability") of the catheter shaft. This aspect of the invention features the stylet extending distally beyond an exit port which is used in rapid catheter exchange and being embedded in the catheter shaft, there being a stress-transferring relationship between the exterior of the stylet and the substance defining the shaft at least in the vicinity of the exit port, the stylet with the embedded relationship increasing the columnar strength of the shaft in the region of the port and increasing the pushability of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention features a catheter having a stylet that increases columnar strength and axial force transmission ("pushability") of the catheter shaft. This aspect of the invention features the stylet extending distally beyond an exit port which is used in rapid catheter exchange and being embedded in the catheter shaft, there being a stress-transferring relationship between the exterior of the stylet and the substance defining the shaft at least in the vicinity of the exit port, the stylet with the embedded relationship increasing the columnar strength of the shaft in the region of the port and increasing the pushability of the catheter.