Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter capable of creating perfusion passages during balloon inflation is formed by a plurality of cooperating expandable members disposed at a distal end of a catheter shaft, thereby forming a composite balloon. The expandable members are generally side-by-side, and are supported at the distal end of the shaft by at least one support member, which is connected between a distal end of the composite balloon and the catheter shaft. Distal ends of the expandable members are sealed and united within a tubular connector; proximal ends of the expandable members are bonded within and communicate with an inflation lumen at the distal end of the shaft. The outer surfaces of the inflatable members cooperate to dilate the wall of an artery. The outer surfaces of the inflatable members further define two sinuses adjacent to the juxtaposed outer surfaces of the inflatable members, which permit passive perfusion of blood through the composite balloon during a dilatation procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a catheter guide wire having a helical coil encasing or covering at least a portion of the distal end section of the wire. At least one region of the distal end is heat treated to facilitate bending or forming a J-tip. The treated regions are of a size to cover only a small portion of the distal end section of the wire, thus preserving the resilience and flexibility of the tip for steerage through a lumen of a body. This improved method and device enables the bending or forming of the guide wire tip with comparative ease with regard to non-treated tips, without sacrificing tip performance as often occurs when the entire or major portion of the distal tip is heat treated, or bent without treatment simply by force.