Rapid exchange catheter

A rapid exchange catheter assembly comprising an outer proximal tube, an outer distal tube, an aperture located at the junction between the distal tube and the proximal tube, and a guide wire tube extending from the aperture and within the distal tube, wherein the distal tube, the proximal tube and the guide wire tube are bonded together at the junction, wherein the aperture is disposed within a distal end portion of the proximal tube, wherein the aperture is disposed proximal of and immediately adjacent to a proximal end of the distal tube, wherein the proximal end of the distal tube has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the distal end portion of the proximal tube, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the distal tube is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the proximal tube at the junction so as to form an offset and stepped outer configuration, and wherein an outer surface of the distal tube along a side opposite the aperture is flush with an outer surface of the proximal tube at the junction, and

• wherein the proximal tube includes a hypotube comprising a tubular portion and a skived portion, the tubular portion having a constant diameter and extending to a proximal end of the assembly, the skived portion extending distally of the tubular portion, the skived portion of the hypotube extending across the junction between the distal tube and the proximal tube, and
• wherein an outer surface of the distal end of the proximal tube opposite the aperture is flush with an outer surface of the proximal end of the distal tube at the junction, and wherein an outer surface of the distal end of the proximal tube adjacent to the aperture is disposed inwardly of an outer surface of the proximal end of the distal tube at the juncture.