Abstract: A non-over-the-wire catheter for use in angioplasty including a core wire which extends distally beyond a distal end of a tubular member. The tubular member defines an interior passage which is in fluid communication with a distal interior passage of a waist tube that extends about the core wire. An inflatable balloon member extends about the core wire and is in fluid communication with the distal interior passage of the waist tube. An axially stiff component is coupled to the balloon member. The axially stiff component permits rotational movement of the core wire relative to the balloon member so that torque applied to the tubular member and conveyed to the core wire is not readily transmitted to the balloon member. A push element associated with the core wire abuts the axially stiff component.

Abstract: A non-over-the-wire catheter for use in angioplasty including a core wire which extends distally beyond a distal end of a tubular member. The tubular member defines an interior passage which is in fluid communication with a distal interior passage of a waist tube that extends about the core wire. An inflatable balloon member extends about the core wire and is in fluid communication with the distal interior passage of the waist tube. A torsionally soft component is coupled between the balloon member and the core wire. The torsionally soft component absorbs torque applied to the tubular member and conveyed along the core wire such that the torque is not readily transmitted to the balloon member from the core wire.

Abstract: A device for gripping a medical shaft such as a guide wire or catheter tube has two operative components: a body member with a longitudinal slot for receiving the shaft and an insert member slidably received in the slot of the body member. The body member and insert member have opposed, generally parallel shaft engagement surfaces which extend longitudinally along the shaft on each side thereof. Moving the insert member longitudinally relative to the body member activates a slide arrangement which moves the opposed surfaces laterally toward one another to grip the shaft therebetween while remaining generally parallel.