SIDE BRANCH BALLOON

摘要

An improved balloon catheter structure includes a beveled distal tip, a reinforced distal portion, and an elastic or split sleeve over at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon may have a short length and a marker at its midline. The catheters are particularly useful for crossing through stent walls at vessel bifurcations.

主权项

1. A balloon catheter having improved crossing characteristics, said catheter comprising
a catheter body having a distal end, a proximal end, and an inflatable balloon near the distal end, wherein a distal tip is asymmetrically beveled relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body, and wherein the catheter body comprises a braided shaft section to torsionally reinforce the distal portion thereof, thereby improving rotation of the beveled distal tip when the catheter body is placed in vasculature.