Abstract: A catheter provided with a collapsible inner lumen within a main body. The catheter can deploy a distal protection device using a guidewire which is threaded through the inner lumen, the inner lumen collapsing upon retrieval of the device into the catheter main body.

Abstract: A tubular instrument, e.g., a catheter including a hollow wall portion forming the distal end of the instrument and terminating at a distal opening, having a connector arranged to be used with a guide-wire. The guide-wire has a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the distal end portion of the guide-wire being arranged to be extended to some interior position within the body of a living being, with the proximal end portion of the guide-wire being located outside the being's body. The connector is located at the distal end of the instrument and is arranged to be readily manipulated by a twisting action to connect the instrument onto the guide-wire for sliding movement therealong. In particular, the connector establishes a path into which a portion of the guide-wire can be inserted from a lateral direction by merely twisting the instrument, without requiring access to either end of the guide-wire. In one embodiment the path is a spiral channel formed in the hollow wall portion of the instrument.

Abstract: A catheter provided with a collapsible inner lumen within a main body. The catheter can deploy a distal protection device using a guidewire which is threaded through the inner lumen, the inner lumen collapsing upon retrieval of the device into the catheter main body.

Abstract: A holding device and method of use with a peelable or otherwise splittable introducer sheath or catheter through which a cardiac pacing lead or other elongated flexible instrument extends into the body of a living being. The introducer is arranged to be grasped by a user to pull the introducer in the proximal direction so that can be withdrawn out of the being's body. The holding device comprises a first or “gripper” portion and a second or “splitter” portion. The gripper portion includes at least one gripping member, e.g., a pair of jaws or at least one recessed engagement surface, to grasp or frictionally engage a portion of the periphery of the elongated flexible member to enable the user to hold the pacing lead at a desired position within the being's body. The splitter portion of the holding device is arranged to cause the introducer to separate longitudinally, e.g.

Abstract: A direct stick tear-away introducer having an elongate intraluminal medical device, comprising a proximal and a distal end. A sheath is disposed about the medical device and extends from the distal end of the medical device. A blade is bonded to a distal end of the sheath, and a weakened region on the sheath extends longitudinally from the distal end to a proximal end of the sheath. The introducer has the ability to incise a body tissue and allow insertion of a medical device housed within the introducer into the body tissue. Methods for using the devices herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A catheter position guide (100) includes a first open channel (104) along the length of the position guide (100) designed to receive a catheter (202). An optional second channel (112) substantially on the opposite side of the first channel (104) is designed to receive a guide wire (204). One or more hubs (106, 108) help retain the catheter position guide's proximal end (110) to a pullback device (310).

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter and guidewire exchange system in which the guidewire is contained within an indwelling portion of the catheter and with the guidewire and the catheter being separated externally of the patient. The catheter includes a guidewire lumen and a longitudinal slit which penetrates through the catheter wall and into the guidewire lumen. The catheter walls adjacent the slit are provided with reinforced edges which function to maintain the slit in a normally closed position during the catheterization procedure, when desired.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for delivering a stent to a bodily stricture. The delivery device advantageously includes a funnel shaped distal end configured to facilitate compressing the stent onto the delivery device. The funnel may further include a tear away strip suitable for separating the funnel from the delivery device.

Abstract: A balloon protector for the balloon of a dilatation catheter includes a distally extending flared section that defines a funnel receptive to a guidewire in order to facilitate backloading of the guidewire into the catheter.

Abstract: A partitioned hemostasis valve system for use with a splittable sheath, including a partitioned hemostasis valve housing which holds a partitioned hemostasis valve formed in at least two separate and distinct sections. Pivotable wing portions are secured to the partitioned valve housing such that upon pressure being placed on these wing portions, the separate sides of the partitioned hemostasis valve housing and the partitioned hemostasis valve are separated. The partitioned hemostasis valve system may also include a splittable adaptor system for securing to a splittable sheath.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: A novel enhanced needle splitting through-the-needle cannula placement apparatus includes a hinged housing, a scored splittable needle, a needle splitting means and sliding means for facile removal of a needle while leaving the cannula within a body vessel. A method of its use is also taught.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle device for administration of anesthesia to a patient's epidural space comprising a hypodermic needle having a barrel portion with opposed distal and proximal ends, a hub assembly located at the proximal end of the barrel portion of the needle, through which instruments such as a rigid stylet, or a flexible catheter having a pre-affixed connector, may be introduced into the needle, and a slot formed axially along the length of the needle from the distal end through the hub at the proximal end of the needle. The slot has a minimum width dimension not greater than the outer diameter of a stylet or epidural catheter such that during location of the epidural space, and placement of a catheter in the epidural space, the stylet and catheter will not come out of the needle, yet the needle may be easily removed from the catheter once the catheter is in place, by pulling the catheter through the slot in the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating substantially bloodless insertion into and withdrawal from a patient's body of a longitudinal member having a proximal end portion and having a distal end portion which is adapted to extend into the patient's body. The apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending sleeve having proximal and distal end portions and defining a lumen extending there along. The longitudinal member is positioned along the lumen. The sleeve has a line extending longitudinally along it which is either split or splittable so that the sleeve can be separated along the line for removal from about the longitudinal member while the distal end portion of the longitudinal member remains extended into the patient. A valve structure serves for preventing blood flow through the lumen. An access is present for allowing substantially bloodless insertion and withdrawal of the longitudinal member through the lumen.

Abstract: A blind intubation guide (10) including a tube-receiving space (46) with a tube-supporting spout (50) which effectively overhangs the epiglottis (90) so as to prevent an orotracheal tube (60) from catching thereon as such tube (60) is advanced through the guide (10). A guide wall (42), which aims the tube (60) into the laryngeal opening (82) and has an upper edge below the level of the junction of the spout (50) and an aft member (16) and a support member (30) of the guide, cooperates with a free edge (52) of the spout (50) to rotate the tube (60) into position for advancement into the laryngeal opening (82) and the trachea (96).

Abstract: A dialysis probe combination with a microdialysis probe (1) which can be inserted into tissue with the aid of an insertion device that includes a canula tube (9). In order to be able to remove the canula tube (9) after insertion, the tube is provided with a slot along the whole of its length, this slot preferably including an angle of about 65.degree. in the radial direction. During insertion, the probe is held within the canula tube by virtue of the major part of the probe being larger than the slot. However, the proximal portion of the probe includes a flattened part which is able to pass through the slot, and the canula tube can be drawn past the flattened part by lifting this part, while leaving the probe in the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved medical introducer device that comprises a releasably locking dilator and circumscribing sheath as well as a tactile indicator to conveniently inform a user of the device whether the dilator/sheath assembly is in a locked or unlocked position. In preferred aspects, the introducer device also includes a visual indicator to provide visual indication to a device user that the dilator and sheath are either in a locked or unlocked position, and a lead-in section at the sheath proximal end to facilitate insertion of a dilator, guide wire, catheter, etc. through the device.

Abstract: A grommet positioning device 10 includes a positioning member 16, such as a sheath 28, carrying an elastic anchor, fastener or grommet 14 thereon. The grommet 14 is preferably composed of silicone and has a predefined, unstressed interior diameter. The positioning member 16 includes a portion 25 in contact with the grommet, the portion 25 having an outer diameter at least equal to the predefined, unstressed interior diameter of the grommet 14. The positioning member 16 is capable of being split or torn apart along at least the portion 25, so as to release the grommet 14 from the member 16 and allow it to be fixed in position along an object such as a catheter 12. The interior diameter of the grommet 14 is chosen to preclude closure or blockage of the catheter 12 when the grommet 14 is positioned on it. The positioning member 16 is preferably configured as a sheath 28 composed of molecular oriented PTFE, capable of being split along its entire length, and includes pull tabs 46 for causing such splitting.

Abstract: An intraluminal catheter, particularly a dilatation catheter for PTCA procedures, which is adapted for rapid exchange during an intraluminal procedure and which also allows for the exchange of the guidewire without loss of access to the intraluminal region about the distal end of the catheter. The catheter has a main guidewire lumen which extends essentially the length of the catheter and a guidewire extension lumen which extends proximally from the main guidewire lumen and is at least in part offset and parallel to the main guidewire lumen. A portion of the catheter shaft which defines at least part of the main guidewire lumen has a first slit from the proximal end of the catheter to the intersection between the extension lumen and the main guidewire lumen and a second lumen which extends from a proximal guidewire port in the guidewire extension lumen to a port in the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: An inserting device is provided for inserting an elongated thin flexible surgical member, such as an electrode, and the like, into body tissues. The device includes a pair of tubular portions with longitudinal slits. The two members define a lumen for accepting the surgical member after the device is introduced into the tissues. Thereafter, the members are positioned so that the slits are aligned to provide an opening which allows the inserting device to be withdrawn without interfering with the inserted surgical instrument. An enforcing element, such as an obturator, may be inserted into the lumen while the inserting device is introduced into the tissues.

Abstract: A first catheter surrounds a guidewire, with the first catheter and guidewire each having a distal portion emplaced in the cardiovascular system of a patient. By this invention, the first catheter may be removed without displacing the guidewire. To accomplish this, one may advance an exchange catheter into the patient to a desired position where the exchange catheter completely surrounds the guidewire distal end and, in turn, is surrounded along part of its length by the first catheter. One causes a proximal end portion of the guidewire to project outwardly through a longitudinal slit of the exchange catheter, so that the proximal end of the guidewire may be grasped. By this means the guidewire may be retained in the desired position as the exchange catheter is advanced into its position within the first catheter and surrounding the guidewire. One then withdraws the first catheter from the patient, while causing the exchange catheter to be held relatively stationary.

Abstract: A sheath holds a device against a balloon catheter for delivery in the lumen of a patient. The device can be a stent and graft combination. The stent is kept properly centered over the balloon catheter by the sheath as the graft is placed in a blood vessel. The smooth outer surface of the sheath protects the vessel wall from the rough surface of the stent. A notch is formed in the end of the sheath where the free end of a strand of thread protrudes from the sheath. The sheath is removed from the graft by pulling on the free end of the strand otherwise located distally from the outer surface of the sheath. The strand cuts through and splits open the sheath as a result of the force applied on the free end of the strand. The other end of the strand is attached to a reinforced collar at the other end of the sheath. The strand does not cut through the collar.

Abstract: A transvenous lead introducer having an integral mechanical valve assembly which includes opposed comating valve members that are operated by opposed handles. The handles and the valves are joined by rotatable link assemblies and are normally biased in a closed position by integrally formed bias springs.

Abstract: An improved percutaneous introducer device is provided that inhibits or prevents undesired shearing of the splittable sheath component of the device. The device includes an interference tab that extends between two wing portions which axially shear the splittable sheath component of the device upon application of an effective force thereto. The interference tab effectively blocks undesired shearing forces that may occur during manipulation of the device by medical personnel or the patient prior to and during placement of a catheter, guide wire or other device.

Abstract: A surgical kit for performing trigger finger release surgery. A flexor tendon (T) passes through the palm (P) of a person's hand (H) to a finger (F) or thumb (B). Constriction of a protective sheath (E) around the tendon causes the trigger finger condition. For a person suffering from trigger finger, a path (1) of the impaired tendon is first identified. A puncture site is then located for insertion of one end of a hollow, curved cannula (1) into the palm. The cannula is pushed through the palm with a first puncture hole (U) being made where the instrument enters into the palm, and a second puncture hole (U') where the cannula exits from the palm. The cannula is routed through the palm such that the path (8) of the cannula passes through the sheath. The cannula is left in place and an arthroscope (9) and a surgical knife (11) are inserted into respective ends of the instrument. The surgeon views the surgical site through a monitor (10) to which the arthroscope is attached.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter, comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal portion, and a distal end, having diagnostic or therapeutic means mounted on the distal portion, and a bailout lumen extending along the catheter shaft from a point ordinarily outside the patient during use to a point proximal of the balloon and normally inside the patient during such use, the bailout lumen adapted to receive a removable guidewire and having an outer wall, with the outer wall preferably including a means such as a longitudinally extending slit for laterally removing the catheter from the patient and off of the guidewire while maintaining the position of the guidewire in the patient, and optionally including a side port through the outer wall of the bailout lumen through which a guidewire can be inserted. Methods for using the catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for administering epidural anesthesia utilizing an epidural catheter permanently secured at its proximal end to an adapter for putting the catheter in fluid communication with a source of liquid anesthesia. The system employs a splittable needle for inserting the catheter into the peridural space.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible kink resistant introducer system for introducing an elongated object into the venous system and especially for introducing a cardiac pacemaker lead. The introducer system features a sheath having a kink resistant section allowing the sheath to be bent in that region and still allow a lead to be introduced therethrough. The kink resistant section comprises a series of bellows or pleats. The bellows or pleats may further be arranged to form a screw about a portion of the sheath to thereby permit the sheath to be screwed into body tissue. The sheath preferably is constructed to readily tear in a longitudinal direction and thus permits the system to be removed from the venous system without having to withdraw the sheath over an end of the pacemaker lead.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for facilitating substantially bloodless insertion into and withdrawal from a patient's body of a longitudinal member having a proximal end portion and having a distal end portion which is adapted to extend into the patient's body. The apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending sleeve having proximal and distal end portions and defining a lumen extending there along. The longitudinal member is positioned along the lumen. The sleeve has a line extending longitudinally along it which is either split or splittable so that the sleeve can be separated along the line for removal from about the longitudinal member while the distal end portion of the longitudinal member remains extended into the patient. A valve structure serves for preventing blood flow through the lumen. An access is present for allowing substantially bloodless insertion and withdrawal of the longitudinal member through the lumen.

Abstract: A fully exchangeable over-the-wire catheter is disclosed having a lumen adapted to slidingly receive a guidewire throughout the longitudinal extent of the tubular shaft. The tubular shaft may also be provided with a longitudinal rip seam extending into the lumen from the proximal portion of the tubular shaft to a point adjacent the distal end of the tubular shaft which enables the catheter to be peeled from the guidewire during removal and exchange procedures without the need for docking a guidewire extension. The catheter may be provided with one or more side access ports into the guidewire lumen which may include angled partitions to control guidewire routing. The guidewire may be threaded through the side access ports in a variety of manners as desired.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter defines an inflation lumen communicating with its balloon, and a guidewire lumen extending along the catheter. An aperture portion is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior, the aperture portion being covered by a frangible wall that is typically thinner than the rest of the tubular catheter shaft wall. The catheter may be used in either the conventional over-the-wire technique or the "rapid exchange" technique of balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: A device for providing access to a living body. The device, in one embodiment, includes a slotted needle dimensioned and configured to receive, in fluid tight engagement, a catheter or a guidewire introduced into the needle through the slot. The device, in another embodiment, includes a sharpened, slotted first tube, a second tube piercable by the first tube for receipt therein of at least a potion of both the first tube and the slot, and an elongated element passing into the second tube, through the slot and into the first tube. The device might further include a third tube slidably positioned around the second tube.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter having a proximal tubular member formed of high strength materials such as stainless steel with an inner lumen for directing inflation fluid through the tubular member, a double lumen distal member which is secured to the distal end of the proximal tubular member with one of the lumens in the distal member being in fluid communication and axially aligned with the inner lumen of the proximal tubular member and the other lumen which is generally offset and parallel to the first inner lumen being adapted to slidably receive a guidewire and an inflatable balloon on the distal member. A proximal port in the proximal end of the second inner lumen is spaced at least 10 cm but not more than about 40 cm proximally from a distal port in the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A balloon angioplasty catheter system comprising a flexible guide wire, balloon catheter and slide handle. The balloon catheter has a shaft with a guide wire lumen that includes a guide wire removal slit which extends along a portion of the shaft. The slide handle is configured to open the slit as the handle slides along the catheter. The handle includes a separate passage for the catheter and guide wire and is provided with a fitting for connecting the handle to the "Y" adaptor of a guide catheter. The system provides a arrangement with the advantages of both an over-the-wire and monorail catheter.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter defines an inflation lumen communicating with its balloon, and a guidewire lumen extending along the catheter. An aperture portion is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior, the aperture portion being covered by a frangible wall that is typically thinner than the rest of the tubular catheter shaft wall. The catheter may be used in either the conventional over-the-wire technique or the "rapid exchange" technique of balloon angioplasty.

Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises an elongated sheath having a bore to receive a percutaneous needle therethrough. The proximal end of the sheath is secured to a head element having angularly spaced wing portions and defining two opposed parallel planar surfaces. The percutaneous needle has a transversely disposed U-shaped element secured to its proximal end which is snugly engagable with the planer sidewalls of the head portion and is secured thereto through a rib and slot interengagement of the arms with the planar surfaces. The sheath and the entire head portion are provided with diametrically opposed scorelines to permit the ready separation of the introducer through the application of a separating force to the wing portions. Such separation cannot, however, occur so long as the needle is fully inserted within the introducer due to the restraining action of the arms of the U-shaped element.

Abstract: A fully exchangeable over-the-wire dilatation catheter disclosed having an expandable balloon mounted on the distal end of a flexible, elongate tubular shaft provided with first and second through lumens. The first lumen traverses the longitudinal extent of the tubular shaft and is sealingly connected to the expandable balloon. The second lumen is adapted to slidingly receive a guidewire throughout the longitudinal extent of the tubular shaft and through the interior of the expandable balloon. The tubular shaft is also provided with a longitudinal rip seam extending into the second lumen from the proximal portion of the tubular shaft to a point adjacent the distal end of the tubular shaft. The rip seam may be provided with one or more side access ports into the second guidewire lumen and enables the catheter to be peeled from the guidewire during removal and exchange procedures without the need for docking a guidewire extension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a splittable needle device adapted for use in administering epidural anesthesia. The needle has guide means to facilitate insertion of the needle into the peridural space, contained on a splittable hub assembly.

Abstract: A splittable hemostatic valve and introducer sheath is provided for introductions of leads or catheters through the valve and sheath combination into a vein or artery. Because of the hemostatic valve, this sheath can remain in the vein throughout the operation with the advantage of free lead exchange possibility and easier lead manipulation, especially in dual lead insertions, without bleeding, risk of air embolism or repeated sheath insertion related trauma for lead exchange. A side arm to the hemostatic valve cage provides continuous fluid drip in order to prevent clot formation in the lumen of the sheath.

Abstract: The tip of a stylet which is received in a needle cannula is automatically capped in a guard body when the stylet is withdrawn from the cannula. The stylet may be reassembled in the cannula and put into working position, with the point of the tip extending from the cannula shaft, by reinserting the stylet and guard into the cannula hub. The guard contains an arm which moves into blocking position with respect to the tip of the stylet when it is withdrawn from the cannula by following a cam surface on the cannula hub (either inside or outside the hub for different styles of needle cannulas). The arm may be spring biased, across a hole in the guard in which the stylet is slidably disposed into interfering relationship with the arm. The cam surface urges the arm to bring a portion thereof which protects the point of the tip of the stylet and captures it inside the guard.

Abstract: A transpyloric jejunostomy cannulating apparatus includes an abdominal wall trocar having an elongated shaft and a sharpened tapered end for passage through a patient's abdominal wall. A tubular sheath is telescopically slidable onto the trocar for passage through the abdominal wall with it. An elongated generally tubular gastrostomy introducer has one end adapted for connection to a suction source and a free end portion tapering toward a free end of reduced width for insertion through the gastric wall into the lumen of a stomach. The introducer has an inlet opening adjacent the free end for aspirating the stomach. An elongated slotted cannulator, generally c-shaped in cross section, has an external width for passage through the sheath and an internal width to accommodate passage of the introducer therethrough.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter, comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with a balloon inflation lumen extending therethrough, a fixed, steerable torquewire extending through at least a portion of the shaft and out of the distal end thereof, an angioplasty balloon on the distal end of the catheter operatively communicating with the balloon inflation lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the balloon is attached to the torquewire, and a bailout lumen extending along the catheter shaft from a point ordinarily outside the patient during use to a point proximal of the balloon and normally inside the patient during such use, the bailout lumen adapted to receive a removable guidewire and having an outer wall, with the outer wall preferably including a means such as a longitudinally extending slit for laterally removing the catheter from the patient and off of the guidewir

Abstract: A peel-away introducer sheath includes a tube sheath having a splittable handle at its proximal end. A gas or liquid sealing valve or other fitting is secured to a proximal face of the handle and includes an axial passage typically having a diameter approximately equal to the lumen diameter of the sheath. The valve includes a threaded connector which is received in a counter bore formed in the handle. In this way, the sheath may be split apart leaving only the valve or other fitting in place on a catheter passing therethrough.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter comprises a flexible, tubular catheter shaft which carries a dilatation balloon adjacent the distal end. The catheter shaft defines an inflation lumen communicating with the balloon and a guidewire lumen extending at least most of the length of the catheter and extending through the catheter distal end. A longitudinal slit is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior. This slit longitudinally extends along the majority of the catheter length from a position proximal of the balloon to a position that is at least adjacent the catheter proximal end.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal region and proximal region. The distal region has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to that of the proximal region, and the proximal region includes at least two lumens therethrough for accommodating a movable guidewire and a rotatable working element, respectively. The catheter body may be inserted over the moveable guidewire, with the guidewire passing through a lumen in the distal region and the guidewire lumen in the proximal region. After positioning the catheter body, the guidewire can be retracted from the distal region and into the proximal region, leaving the lumen in the distal region available for the rotatable working element. Such a construction allows over-the-wire imaging of the catheter while minimizing the width of the catheter in the distal region which remains available for placement of the working element.

Abstract: A method and assembly is provided which allows measurement of intracranial fluid charateristics at the intracranial region of the brain. The invention contemplates a method of implanting a ventricular catheter having one end residing in the ventricular region and the other end exiting the cranial region at a distal location. A grooved needle allows placement of a transducer tipped catheter and rerouting of both the ventricular, in-dwelling catheter and the transducer tipped catheter placed within the in-dwelling catheter. Intracranial fluid characteristics are monitored by an electrically coupled distal monitor. Further, access to the intracranial fluid is also provided to allow either short-term or long-term withdrawal or injection of intracranial fluid.

Abstract: A catheter insertion tool for the insertion of fragile catheters through a hemostatic valve without damage to the fragile catheter. The catheter insertion tool includes a manipulator body with a "V" slot narrowing to a line of weakness that extends the length of both the manipulator body and attached tubular portion. In the preferred embodiment of the catheter insertion tool the line of weakness is a slit extending through the wall of the catheter extension tool.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter which is capable of being removed from a patient while leaving a guide wire in place has a longitudinal slit extending from its proximal end to a position near its inflatable balloon. The catheter has an inflation lumen for applying fluid to inflate the balloon, and an insertion lumen through which the guide wire passes. The slit communicates with the insertion lumen so that the catheter can be peeled off of the guide wire as the catheter is withdrawn from the patient and the guide wire remains in place in the patient.

Abstract: A peelable sheath includes a sheath formed of a flexible tube having a pair of separation lines arranged longitudinally on radially opposite sides of the tube to form a pair of peelable sheath portions, and a hub connector bonded to the proximal end of the sheath. A pair of wings are bonded to the proximal end of the sheath to faciliate separation. The hub connector and sheath are bonded by a web extending axially from a shoulder of the hub connector and including a pair of web tabs arranged on radially opposite sides of the hub connector. The web tabs are bonded to the sheath across respective separation lines, thereby preventing premature separation of the peelable sheath portions. The web also includes a pair of web support struts, arranged on radially opposite sides of the hub and rotated about 90.degree. relative to the web tabs, that are bonded to the respective wings to prevent premature separation of the hub connector from the sheath.

Abstract: A dilatation balloon catheter which is capable of being removed from a patient while leaving a guide wire in place has a longitudinal slit extending from its proximal end to a position near its inflatable balloon. The catheter has an inflation lumen for applying fluid to inflate the balloon, and an insertion lumen through which the guide wire passes. The slit communicates with the insertion lumen so that the catheter can be peeled off of the guide wire as the catheter is withdrawn from the patient and the guide wire remains in place in the patient.