Abstract: The medical balloon catheter of the present invention comprises a catheter shaft composed of a distal end shaft and a proximal end shaft and a balloon on the distal end of the distal end shaft, wherein the proximal end shaft is composed of a single member and the distal end portion of the proximal end shaft is lower in rigidity than the other parts thereof. The present invention also provides a medical balloon catheter having a structure in which a tube for passing a guidewire inside thereof is arranged so as to pass inside the balloon and the balloon and tube are fused together in the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion on the distal end side of the tube to the outer diameter of the proximal end portion is no less than 0.85.

Abstract: As a treatment for angiostenosis, angioplasty (PTA or PTCA) of expanding a small-sized balloon in a vessel has been commonly conducted. However, this treatment easily causes repeated stenosis (restenosis) after the treatment. Placement of a stent in a vessel is also effective in decreasing restenosis, but this treatment may also cause restenosis. The present invention provides a stent containing a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) or both a poly (lactide-co-glycolide) and an immunosuppressive agent in at least a portion of a surface of the stent, and further containing a material nondegradable in vivo.

Abstract: A stent that can further reduce the incidence of repeated stenosis (restenosis) that has been experienced in conventional stents is provided. Onto the outer surface of a stent body, a structure for cutting body tissues and the like is disposed so that during stent expansion in the outward radial direction and placement, the body tissues, such as blood vessels, are cut. Thus, the stress and unrestricted damage applied to body tissues such as blood vessels can be reduced, and restenosis can be suppressed. By coating the stent with a drug, a stent having enhanced effects can be provided.

Abstract: As a therapy for angiostenosis, angioplasty (PTA, PTCA), in which a small balloon is inflated in a blood vessel to expand the vessel, has been widely practiced as a minimally invasive treatment. In this therapy, however, repeated stenosis (restenosis) occurs at a high incidence. In order to reduce the restenosis rate, procedures that use indwelling stents have gained popularity in recent years. However, restenosis has been reported in about 20% to 30% of stent placement cases. Although attempts have been made to coat the stent with a drug that regulates occlusion, stenosis still occurs at a high frequency. At least two layers including an immunosuppressant-containing layer and an antiinflammatory agent-containing layer are provided on the surface of an indwelling stent.

Abstract: The present invention is a balloon catheter used primarily in treatment and surgery for the purpose of dilating lesion sites such as strictures or blockages in passages in the human body. The balloon catheter of the present invention has a structure wherein a guide wire passing tubular member is deployed passing through the interior of the expansion body, and the outer surface of the tubular member and the expansion body are concentrically fused near the distal end of the catheter. This is a balloon catheter that is characterized by the fact that the Shore hardness of the material configuring the outermost surface of the tubular member is smaller than the Shore hardness of the material configuring the expansion body. It is therefore possible to flexibly adjust the tip portion formed by securing the expansion body and the guide wire passing tubular member.

Abstract: The medical balloon catheter of the present invention comprises a catheter shaft composed of a distal end shaft and a proximal end shaft and a balloon on the distal end of the distal end shaft, wherein the proximal end shaft is composed of a single member and the distal end portion of the proximal end shaft is lower in rigidity than the other parts thereof. The present invention also provides a medical balloon catheter having a structure in which a tube for passing a guidewire inside thereof is arranged so as to pass inside the balloon and the balloon and tube are fused together in the vicinity of the distal end of the catheter, wherein the ratio of the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion on the distal end side of the tube to the outer diameter of the proximal end portion is no less than 0.85.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a balloon catheter in which the inner tube is prevented from slackening after balloon inflation, improving the rewrapping of the balloon, discontinuity in the rigidity of the joined portions of the outer tube and the balloon is lessened, which prevents breakage, and the catheter advances through blood vessels better and passes more easily through narrow segments, preventing the catheter from “accordioning” and enhancing insertion force transmission. The balloon catheter pertaining to the present invention has a catheter shaft (1) with a double-tube structure comprising an outer tube (4) and an inner tube (5), and a balloon (3) disposed at the distal end portion of this catheter shaft (1).

Abstract: By installing a cutting blade structure onto the tubular members in the vicinity of the expandable body, the expandable body section can be made fine and flexible, and a dilatation catheter of excellent operability can be obtained, particularly in terms of its capacity to be advanced through constricted affected regions or curved affected regions. Moreover, it is also possible freely to control the expandability characteristics (compliance) of the expandable body. Furthermore, by providing protecting members which protect the blade section of the cutting blade, it is possible to increase the protection of the cutting blade, thereby providing a dilatation catheter which has both excellent safety characteristics and improved flexibility in the region of the expandable body.

Abstract: A balloon catheter 1 is configured so as to comprise a catheter shaft 2 formed by joining a proximal-side tubular member 3 and a distal-side tubular member 4, an adapter member 6 connected to the base end of the catheter shaft 2, and a balloon 5 joined to the distal end of the catheter shaft 2. A metal coiled elastic member 10 is deployed in the internal space in the adapter member 6, so that it can move toward the distal end. This coiled elastic body 10 abuts on a ring-shaped wall part 11a formed on the outer circumferential surface of the base end of an elastic force transmitting member 11 and supports the elastic force transmitting member 11 to the distal side. The leading end of a linear member 12 that is one of the components of the elastic force transmitting member 11 reaches to an internal space 5f in the balloon and is bonded to the outer circumferential surface of a guide wire passing tube 7.