Devices and methods for imaging and treating blood vessels

A method for imaging and treating a blood vessel, the method comprising:

• inserting a guidewire in a blood vessel having a lesion such that the guidewire is provided across the lesion;
• providing a balloon catheter comprising:
• a shaft including:
• an infusion wall, wherein the infusion wall and an outer surface of the shaft define an infusion lumen;
• and
• an inflation wall defining an inflation lumen;
• a dilatation balloon coupled to said shaft, the dilation balloon defining a proximal boundary;
• a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the infusion lumen, the fluid outlet adjacent said dilatation balloon, wherein a distal end of the infusion wall is disposed proximally of the proximal boundary thereby defining a fluid outlet is disposed at the distal end of the infusion wall opposing the balloon;
• and
• a guidewire channel fluidly isolated from the infusion lumen and the inflation lumen, the guidewire channel having a distal guidewire opening, and a proximal guidewire opening defined in the shaft and located between said fluid outlet and said fluid inlet and distanced 30 cm or less from the proximal boundary of said dilatation balloon, wherein said guidewire channel includes an inclined portion disposed within said shaft and configured to skew said guidewire upon forcing thereof through said inclined portion, the inclined portion extending through at least one of the inflation wall or the infusion wall;
• passing said guidewire through said distal guidewire opening and said proximal guidewire opening and pushing said balloon catheter in the blood vessel such that said fluid outlet is in approximation with the lesion;
• injecting a contrast enhancing medium from said fluid outlet in a total amount equal or less than 2 cc and producing an angiogram of the lesion;
• and
• delivering medicament to the lesion.