Enhanced balloon bonding for balloon guide catheters while minimizing outer profiles

A balloon guide catheter comprising:

• a catheter shaft having defined longitudinally therein a central lumen and an inflation lumen substantially parallel to the central lumen;
• the catheter shaft having a braid in a configuration in which the braid is woven about the inflation lumen so that a first portion of the braid extends radially outward relative to the inflation lumen while a second portion of the braid extends radially inward relative to the inflation lumen;
• and the braid encompassing the central lumen as well;
• a balloon disposed about the braid;
• the balloon has a distal edge and an opposite proximal edge;
• and
• at least one reflow jacket without anything disposed therebetween the at least one reflow jacket and the balloon;
• the at least one reflow jacket directly covering the proximal and distal edges of the balloon;
• the at least one reflow jacket made of a material reflowable together with the proximal and distal edges of the balloon into the braid securing the balloon to the catheter shaft;
• wherein an exposed portion of the balloon is not covered by the at least one reflow jacket.