Balloon catheter system for treating vascular occlusions

摘要

The present invention provides a balloon catheter comprising: a hollow inner shaft disposed within a hollow outer shaft; a balloon attached at its proximal end to said outer shaft and at its distal end to said inner shaft; wherein the inner shaft is constructed such that following radial expansion of the balloon to a first expanded state, said inner shaft is capable of responding to further longitudinal expansion of the balloon to a second expanded state by increasing its length from a resting value, and of responding to subsequent partial deflation back to said first expanded state by reducing its length back to said resting value.