Inventors:
Blair Walker - Long Beach CA
Manouchehr Miraki - Aliso Viejo CA
William Rice - Irvine CA
Brett Trauthen - Newport Beach CA
Hye Lee - Garden Grove CA
Greg Welsh - Newport Beach CA
Henry Nita - Mission Viejo CA
Shawn O'Leary - Newport Beach CA
Assignee:
Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. - Santa Clara CA
International Classification:
A61M 2900
Abstract:
A balloon catheter includes a flexible small-diameter guide wire provided with an enlarged-diameter distal end portion, and a flexible elongated tubular shaft with at least one dual-function fluid-conducting lumen adapted to both receive the guide wire extending therethrough, and to communicate pressurized inflation fluid to a distal balloon of the catheter. A distal orifice of the catheter communicates with the balloon and is provided with selective valving means for releasably engaging sealingly with the enlarged distal end portion of the guide wire. Apparatus is disclosed for axially moving the guide wire to effect engagement and disengagement of the enlarged distal end portion with the selective valving means of the catheter shaft. A torquer device is also provided by means of which the guide wire may be rotated relative to the catheter shaft for steering of the guide wire along a vascular pathway. A distal end tapered portion of the catheter shaft provides protection for a joint of the guide wire assembly.