Balloon Guide Catheter Having Reduced Outer Diameter Distal and Proximal Bonding Interface Areas With the Balloon

A method for assembling a balloon guide catheter including a balloon having a distal edge and an opposite proximal edge;

• and a catheter shaft having an exterior surface, a central lumen defined axially therethrough, and an inflation lumen;
• wherein the exterior surface has a distal reduced outer diameter recess area defined therein and a proximal reduced outer diameter recess area separated in an axial direction from the distal reduced outer diameter recess area;
• the inflation lumen having a discharge port disposed between the distal and proximal reduced outer diameter recess areas;
• and the balloon is secured within:
• (i) the distal reduced outer diameter recess area forming a distal bonding interface area;
• and (ii) the proximal reduced outer diameter recess area forming a proximal bonding interface area;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• securing the balloon to the catheter shaft using biocompatible adhesive pooled in the distal and proximal reduced outer diameter recess areas;
• and
• applying laser or thermal bonding to heat shrink tubing disposed about the distal and proximal bonding interface areas of the secured balloon fusing the balloon to the catheter shaft.