Abstract: A method including introducing an expandable body into a blood vessel at a point coextensive with a vulnerable plaque lesion, and expanding the expandable body from a first diameter to a different second diameter sufficient to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel at the point coextensive with the lesion without rupturing the lesion. An apparatus including a cannula having a dimension suitable for insertion into a blood vessel and including an expandable body coupled thereto, the expandable body including a first outer diameter suitable for insertion through the blood vessel and a second outer diameter greater than the first diameter and having a maximum dimension to modify the shape of an inner diameter of the blood vessel and retain a same perimeter. A kit including a cannula including an expandable body and a stent. An expandable framework comprising a polymer material. An apparatus including an expandable body.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a catheter formed at least in part of a multilayered member having a first layer which is fusion bondable to another catheter component such as the skirt of an inflatable balloon and a second layer which is adjacent the first layer having a melting point greater than the first layer so that the multilayered member of the catheter is not deformed when the other catheter component is fusion bonded to the first layer of the multilayered member. The second layer is preferably lubricious in nature. In one embodiment of the invention, the multilayered member is a tubular element with the lubricious second layer defining an inner lumen extending within the tubular element. The outer layer of the tubular member may extend beyond the distal end of the inner layer and form a non-traumatic distal tip. Alternatively, a flexible non-traumatic distal tip may be fusion bonded to at least the outer layer of the multilayered tubular member.

Abstract: The invention is an elongate intracorporeal member having a polymer jacket secured to a high strength shaft with the polymer jacket having an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer formed of polymeric adhesive. In one embodiment, a balloon catheter has a proximal high strength tubular section with a polymer jacket having an polymeric outer layer and an adhesive polymer inner layer. In another embodiment, a guidewire has an elongate core with polymer jacket disposed about at least a portion of the elongate core, wherein the polymer jacket comprises a polymeric outer layer an inner layer of polymeric adhesive disposed between and bonding the outer layer to the elongate core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a catheter formed at least in part of a multilayered member having a first layer which is fusion bondable to another catheter component such as the skirt of an inflatable balloon and a second layer which is adjacent the first layer having a melting point greater than the first layer so that the multilayered member of the catheter is not deformed when the other catheter component is fusion bonded to the first layer of the multilayered member. The second layer is preferably lubricious in nature. In one embodiment of the invention, the multilayered member is a tubular element with the lubricious second layer defining an inner lumen extending within the tubular element. The outer layer of the tubular member may extend beyond the distal end of the inner layer and form a non-traumatic distal tip. Alternatively, a flexible non-traumatic distal tip may be fusion bonded to at least the outer layer of the multilayered tubular member.