Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a catheter for insertion within the human vasculature. The catheter is capable of being irreversibly expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter. The catheter has an elongated shaft with a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The shaft has a lumen extending therethrough. The lumen has a substantially circular cross section of a first diameter. The shaft has two or more stripes of a substantially rigid material and two or more stripes of a substantially expandable and non-resilient material. The rigid stripes disposed between the expandable stripes. The stripes extend between the distal and proximal ends of the shaft.

Abstract: A dilation catheter for use in medical procedures is provided including a dilation balloon disposed on the distal end of a flexible tubular shaft. The balloon has perfusion characteristics and may be varied between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by the introduction of fluid into the balloon. The balloon includes a compliant portion which extends radially outwardly when the balloon is in its expanded condition for engaging a body vessel wall and a non-compliant longitudinal section which traverses the length of the balloon and does not extend radially outwardly when the balloon is in its expanded condition, forming a perfusion channel.