Abstract: This invention is directed to a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises (i) a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of said first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an expandable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and (ii) a second lumen extending coextensively with the first lumen and having proximal and distal portions, wherein the proximal portion of the second lumen has an opening adjacent or distal to the proximal end of the first lumen, the distal section of the second lumen is exterior to the balloon, the distal end of the second lumen is open, and the second lumen is capable of receiving a guidewire in a sliding fit. The proximal end of the guidewire may have a removedly mounted slitter, and optionally there may be a hub means in fluid communication with the distal end of the second lumen.

Abstract: The invention herein is directed to a dilatation catheter comprising a steering wire, a dilatation balloon encompassing the said steering wire, and a flexible, inflatable catheter shaft concentric to the steering wire and in fluid communication with the balloon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balloon dilatation catheter. The balloon dilatation catheter comprises a first, inflation lumen extending therethrough and having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the first lumen opening into and being in fluid communication with the interior of an inflatable dilatation balloon having distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen extending coextensively with and exterior to the dilatation balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid exchange catheter system comprising a exchange member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the rigid shaft being integral with the proximal end of the exchange member, such that said shaft is adapted to advance the exchange member distally to a desired location wherein the exchange member is positioned concentrically to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid exchange catheter system comprising a exchange member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the rigid shaft being integral with the proximal end of the exchange member, such that said shaft is adapted to advance the exchange member distally to a desired location wherein the exchange member is positioned concentrically to a catheter shaft.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises blowing a length of double lumen tubing to produce a double lumen catheter piece having distal and proximal ends and having a first lumen and a second lumen; cutting an opening in the second lumen proximal to the distal end of the catheter piece; inserting a pushing wire having distal and proximal ends into the second lumen through the proximal end of the catheter piece until the distal end of the pushing wire extends distally across the opening; inserting a piece of lubricous tubing into the second lumen through the distal end of the catheter piece; sealing the distal end of the first lumen; heating the distal portion of the catheter piece to cause the distal portion of the second lumen to shrink slightly to cause the lubricous tubing to fixedly engage the distal end of the pushing wire, while the first lumen is pressurized; and heating the remainder of the catheter piece to cause the second lumen to shrink around the