Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated shaft including a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D with an inflation lumen defined therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: Method of making a balloon catheter includes melt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material into a tube, cooling the extruded tube, placing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube while simultaneously tapering at least a section of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with an external load applied on at least one end of the tube as an external heat supply traverses longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the extruded tube in the capture member, wherein an overall axial load on the tubing is varied as at least a section of the tube is heated. The method includes cooling the expanded tube to form a tapered biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member and sealingly securing a balloon proximate a distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Method of making a balloon catheter includes melt-extruding a thermoplastic polymeric material into a tube, cooling the extruded tube, placing the extruded tube within a capture member and biaxially orienting the polymeric material of the extruded tube while simultaneously tapering at least a section of the extruded tube by radially expanding the extruded tube with pressurized media in the tube lumen and axially expanding the extruded tube with an external load applied on at least one end of the tube as an external heat supply traverses longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the extruded tube in the capture member, wherein an overall axial load on the tubing is varied as at least a section of the tube is heated. The method includes cooling the expanded tube to form a tapered biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member and sealingly securing a balloon proximate a distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Catheter having a hypotube with a skive defined by a first angled cut, an axial cut, and a second angled cut. A midshaft member includes a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen in fluid communication with an inflation lumen of the hypotube, the inflation lumen of the midshaft member configured to receive at least a portion of the hypotube. A distal tabular shaft member extends distally from the midshaft member. The distal tubular shaft member has a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen of the distal tubular shaft member in fluid communication with the guidewire lumen of the midshaft member. The inflation lumen of the distal tubular shaft member is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the midshaft member and a balloon is coupled to the distal tubular shaft member and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: Catheter having a hypotube with a skive defined by a first angled cut, an axial cut, and a second angled cut. A midshaft member includes a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen in fluid communication with an inflation lumen of the hypotube, the inflation lumen of the midshaft member configured to receive at least a portion of the hypotube. A distal tubular shaft member extends distally from the midshaft member. The distal tubular shaft member has a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen of the distal tubular shaft member in fluid communication with the guidewire lumen of the midshaft member. The inflation lumen of the distal tubular shaft member is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the midshaft member and a balloon is coupled to the distal tubular shaft member and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated shaft including a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D with an inflation lumen defined therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: Balloon catheter includes an elongate tubular shaft having an outer tubular member having proximal and distal portions, and an inner tubular member having a distal length extending distally from the distal portion of the outer tubular member. The elongate tubular shaft has an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein. The guidewire lumen extends along at least the distal length of inner tubular member. The balloon catheter also includes a distal end section coupled to a distal end of the inner tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end. The balloon catheter also includes a balloon having a proximal portion sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the outer tubular member, a distal portion sealingly coupled to the distal end section, and a working length therebetween. The balloon defines an inner chamber. The proximal end of the distal end section is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated shaft including a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75 D with an inflation lumen defined therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam.

Abstract: A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam.

Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, an inflation lumen extending therein, and a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D and having the inflation lumen therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material, and, in one embodiment, tapering the tubular member to form a bending stiffness transition. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: Catheter having an elongate tubular shaft including an inflation lumen and a guidewire lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen extending along at least a distal length of an inner tubular member of the elongate tubular shaft. The catheter includes a distal tip member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal tip member is monolithic and the proximal end of the distal tip member is secured to a distal end of the inner tubular member. The catheter includes a balloon having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the balloon sealingly coupled to the distal portion of the elongate tubular shaft. The distal portion of the balloon is sealingly coupled to the distal tip member and the balloon defines an inner chamber in communication with the inflation lumen, wherein the proximal end of the distal tip member is disposed within the inner chamber.

Abstract: Catheter having a hypotube with a skive defined by a first angled cut, an axial cut, and a second angled cut. A midshaft member includes a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen in fluid communication with an inflation lumen of the hypotube, the inflation lumen of the midshaft member configured to receive at least a portion of the hypotube. A distal tubular shaft member extends distally from the midshaft member. The distal tubular shaft member has a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen defined therein, the guidewire lumen of the distal tubular shaft member in fluid communication with the guidewire lumen of the midshaft member. The inflation lumen of the distal tubular shaft member is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen of the midshaft member and a balloon is coupled to the distal tubular shaft member and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam.

Abstract: Balloon catheter comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, an inflation lumen extending therein, and a biaxially oriented nonporous thermoplastic polymer tubular member having a Shore durometer hardness of less than about 75D and having the inflation lumen therein. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon sealing secured proximate the distal end of the shaft and having an interior in fluid communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: A catheter having shaft segments which are joined together by a strong bond providing a low profile shaft section with a flexibility transition and/or a compositional transition. A balloon catheter embodying features of the invention has a distal tip member and a coupling band member surrounding a junction of an inner tubular member of the shaft, and has a gradual change in bending stiffness along a distal end section of the shaft which extends distally from a location within the balloon interior. Another catheter embodying features of the invention has shaft segments joined together by a diagonal seam.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.

Abstract: A catheter having an elongated shaft with a tubular member which forms at least a portion of the shaft and which is formed of a biaxially oriented thermoplastic polymeric material, and a method of forming the catheter shaft by radially and longitudinally expanding the tubular member to biaxially orient the polymeric material, and, in one embodiment, tapering the tubular member to form a bending stiffness transition. A catheter of the invention has an improved combination of low bending stiffness, high rupture pressure, and high tensile strength, for improved catheter performance.