Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter includes a short rapid exchange portion which reduces friction between the guidewire and the catheter. The catheter shaft includes one or more sections of hypotubing and overjacketing of diminishing distal flexibility by, e.g., forming cuts in the hypotubing and/or varying the jacketing material and/or thickness. A polymer jacket overlies the hypotubing, and an inner sleeve is provided adjacent to the proximal guidewire port to further strengthen the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes a catheter shaft, a balloon, and a guidewire lumen extending through the lumen. A core wire with a distal coil are positioned in the catheter shaft proximal of the balloon, and a hypotube is positioned in a longitudinally extending inflation lumen, to provide both flexibility and pushability to the catheter shaft.

Abstract: The stent described herein is configured with expandable rings at either end of the stent having increased radial strength compared to the expandable middle rings. This difference between the configuration of the stent at the middle and ends of the stent results in more even expansion properties of the stent, better crimping properties of the stent, and uniform diameter post deployment. The expandable rings are formed by a plurality of struts and a plurality of ductile hinges arranged such that upon expansion, the ductile hinges are deformed while the struts are not deformed.

Abstract: A stent is retained on a balloon catheter with a stent retention feature in the form of a pillow which minimizes sliding of the stent on the balloon during stent delivery and deployment. The balloon catheter/stent assembly includes a balloon catheter having an elongated catheter shaft and a balloon positioned at a distal end of the elongated catheter shaft. An inflation lumen extends within the elongated catheter shaft for inflation and deflation of the balloon. The stent is mounted and crimped onto the balloon and at least one pillow is formed on the balloon adjacent the ends of the stent. The at least one pillow is formed from the balloon and has an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the mounted and crimped stent.

Abstract: A balloon catheter for use alone or as a stent delivery system includes a balloon segment and a shaft segment having a varying flexibility. The shaft segment includes a polymer encased braid which extends along substantially the entire length of the shaft segment for added pushability and kink resistance. A flexible distal tip extends from the balloon for improved trackability.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter has a kink resistant distal catheter segment just proximal of the balloon with a kink resisting member to provide pushability and kink resistance while maintaining flexibility. The kink resistant distal segment allows the rapid exchange guidewire tube to be shortened for a more rapid guidewire exchange.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved centering of a device which is intended to penetrate a severe occlusion of a body lumen. The apparatus includes a substantially tubular member having an exit port; an inflatable member having a distal end; wherein the exit port is not distal to the inflatable member. Such an apparatus allows for better fluoroscopic visualization, and therefore placement, of the apparatus with respect to the lesion.