Abstract: The present invention relates to over-the-wire PTCA balloon catheters (5), and more particularly, to a rapid exchange catheter with the guidewire lumen (50) at the distal tip. The present invention discloses a rapid exchange medical catheter having a wire guiding means external to the shaft (35) for slidably mounting over the guidewire (55), the wire guiding means being a short tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end extending proximally from the distal end of the shaft (35) and terminating before the distal end of the balloon therapy means.

Abstract: The disclosed device relates to over-the-wire PTCA balloon catheters (5), and more particularly, to a rapid exchange catheter (5) for dilatation therapy. The rapid exchange medical catheter (5) has a wire guiding means external to the shaft (35) for slidably mounting over the guidewire (70), the wire guiding means being at least two loops (15) and having a guidewire loading attachment (20) between each pair of loops. The guidewire loading attachment consists of a snap ring (45) depending from a tubular member (55) defining a guidewire lumen (50). The guidewire loading attachment (20) snaps on to the shaft (35) through a slot (60) in the loading attachment (20), the slot (60) having a diameter less than that of the shaft (35) resulting in a compression fit. The loading attachment (20) is removed after loading the guidewire (70).

Abstract: A piezoelectric coaxial cable comprising a metallic helically wound inner conductor, the volume within the helix being filled with a solid material; a continuous piezoelectric polymer layer circumferentially surrounding the inner conductor; and an outer conductor in contact with the piezoelectric polymer layer but separated from the inner conductor.