Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a catheter shaft, at least a portion of which defines a medical device receiving region, and at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve comprises a tubular member constructed and arranged to transition between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubular member has a first portion being engaged to a portion of the catheter shaft adjacent to the medical device receiving region. In the extended state a second portion is constructed and arranged to at least partially overlay the medical device receiving region. In the retraced state the second portion is removed from about the medical device receiving region. At least one of the first portion and the second portion of the tubular member are at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

Abstract: Dilating an obstructed region in a narrow, highly torturous lumen with a dilatation catheter having near its distal end an inflatable balloon with a dilatation section, a proximal taper section, and distal taper section. The dilatation section is generally cylindrical in shape when the balloon is inflated. The distal taper section has a relatively abrupt slope, and the proximal taper section has a relatively gradual slope.

Abstract: A medical catheter (10) having a balloon (3) adapted to be folded into a predetermined configuration. The catheter comprises a flexible inflation member (2) with a balloon (3) disposed on the inflation member (2). The balloon has a flexible wall defining an inflation chamber and the inflation chamber is in fluid flow relation with an inflation lumen in the inflation member. The balloon (3) is adapted for inflation from a folded configuration to an inflated, expanded configuration and back to the folded configuration. An array of longitudinally and circumferentially arranged ribs (6) is disposed in said wall (3a). The ribs (6) are either more stiff or less stiff than the wall (3a) whereby upon evacuation of inflation fluid from the balloon (3) either portions of the wall between the ribs will collapse between the ribs or the ribs will collapse within the wall.