DILATATION CATHETER

摘要

The invention features a catheter (10) having a stylet (12) that increases columnar strength and axial force transmission ("pushability") of the catheter shaft. This aspect of the invention features the stylet (12) extending distally beyond an exit port (54) which is used in rapid catheter exchange and being embedded in the catheter shaft, there being a stress-transferring relationship between the exterior of the stylet (12) and the substance defining the shaft at least in the vicinity of the exit port (54), the stylet (12) with the embedded relationship increasing the columnar strength of the shaft in the region of the port (54) and increasing the pushability of the catheter (10).