Abstract: The present invention is directed to a balloon for an intracorporeal catheter having at least a portion of its walls having radiopaque properties. The balloon is formed of a polymeric material, which has a single wall thickness of at about 0.001 inches to about 0.0125 inches while deflated. The radiopaque portion of the balloon has a thickness of about 0.00025 inches to about 0.012 inches, specifically about 0.002 inches to about 0.003 inches. The balloon is constructed of layers. The radiopaque material may be embedded within the film or deposited on the film to create radiopaque properties.

Abstract: A method of forming a catheter shaft having a flexible section by selective removal of catheter shaft material using laser radiation, and a catheter produced therefrom. The laser radiation is of an ultraviolet wavelength. The catheter shaft is made more flexible without a disadvantageous decrease in column strength by operating the laser in the UV, which allows for machining recess patterns with smooth and repeatable recess surfaces while producing little or no thermal or mechanical effects on the remaining adjacent polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of forming a catheter shaft having a flexible section by selective removal of catheter shaft material using laser radiation, and a catheter produced therefrom. The laser radiation is of an ultraviolet wavelength. The catheter shaft is made more flexible without a disadvantageous decrease in column strength by operating the laser in the UV, which allows for machining recess patterns with smooth and repeatable recess surfaces while producing little or no thermal or mechanical effects on the remaining adjacent polymeric material.

Abstract: A radiation delivery catheter which increases the margin of safety and reduces unintended exposure to radiation dosage during delivery thereof to a target area to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis. The catheter includes a shaft comprised of radiation shielding material, to shield the patient and staff from unintended radiation exposure. The catheter further includes a treatment section including a reservoir balloon comprised of radiation trans-parent material, which enables predetermined concentrations of radioactivity in the radiation source to permeate therethrough into the target area in a substantially uniform dosage pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a cardiac lead in the vasculature of the heart includes a guide catheter, a sleeve and a guidewire. The guide catheter has an inflatable balloon at its distal end and a central lumen open distally to the exterior of the catheter for injection of dye or advancement of a guidewire through the guide catheter and past its distal end. The guide sleeve replaces the guide catheter once the guidewire is in position so that a lead can be advanced over the guidewire with the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for removing an in-place intravascular device such as a catheter or guidewire from a patient's body lumen such as from a coronary artery and advancing a catheter or other similar device through the vascular system until its distal end is located at a desired location within the vascular system. The system includes an exchange catheter, which may be a dilatation catheter, having a flexible strand forming a loop at the distal end of the catheter which is adapted to be disposed about the guidewire or catheter which is in-place within the patient. The loop is tightened about the elongated intraluminal in-place device to be removed so that the catheter can be advanced over the in-place device until the distal end of the catheter is at a desired location within the patient's vasculature. The catheter may be used to perform a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure such as an angioplasty or a replacement device may be advanced through an inner lumen and out the distal end of the catheter.