Abstract: Guiding catheter assembly having a first tubular member formed of a material which has a low coefficient of friction and a second tubular member encasing said first tubular member so that the first tubular member fits tightly within said second tubular member. The second tubular member is formed of an irradiated modified polyolefin which is flexible but which has a greater rigidity than the said first tubular member so as to provide the guiding catheter assembly with the desired rigidity to permit manuevering of the same. The combined first and second tubular members have proximal and distal ends with the distal ends having a bend therein permitting engagement in a vascular structure. A fitting is mounted on the proximal ends through which a dilating catheter assembly can be inserted into the guiding catheter assembly.Dilating catheter assembly having first and second tubular members formed of a flexible irradiated modified polyolefin. The first tubular member is encased within said second tubular member.

Abstract: A combination guiding catheter assembly and a dilating catheter assembly. The guiding catheter assembly includes a first flexible tubular member formed of a material which has a low coefficient of friction and a second flexible tubular member encasing said first tubular member so that the first tubular member fits tightly in the second tubular member. The combined first and second tubular members have proximal and distal ends with a fitting mounted on the proximal end. The dilating catheter assembly includes a flexible tubular member. The tubular member of the dilating catheter assembly having proximal and distal ends and an inflatable annular portion formed integral with the tubular member of the dilating catheter assembly near the distal end thereof. A fitting is mounted on the proximal end of the tubular member of the dilating catheter assembly. The dilating catheter assembly is disposed within the guiding catheter assembly.