Balloon dilatation catheter having dual sealing plugs

A non-over-the-wire angioplasty catheter which is adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, the catheter comprising:

• an elongate flexible tubular member having an interior passage extending form a proximal end to a distal end;
• a core wire having a smaller diameter than the tubular member and having a proximal end and a distal end, the core wire having its proximal end secured tot he tubular member adjacent to the distal end thereof, with the core wire extending distally beyond the distal end of the tubular member;
• a flexible waist tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the waist tube having its proximal end sealably connected to the tubular member adjacent to the distal end thereof, the waist tube extending distally beyond the distal end of the tubular member about the core wire to define a distal interior passage in fluid communication with the interior passage of the tubular member, with the distal end of the waist tube terminating proximally of the distal end of the core wire;
• an inflatable balloon member extending around a section of the core wire and having an interior in fluid communication with the distal interior passage of the waist tube, the balloon member including a proximal end sealably connected to the distal end of the waist tube and a distal end extending coaxially about a portion of the core wire so as to allow rotational movement of the core wire relative to the balloon member and thereby prevent twisting of the balloon member as the catheter is maneuvered through a vascular system of a patient;
• and
• a first sealing plug secured to the guiding member immediately, proximally of the distal end of the balloon member, the first sealing plug defining a first stop that prevents the balloon member and waist tube from being displaced proximally along the core wire as the catheter is being maneuvered through a vascular system of a patient;
• and
• a second sealing plug secured to the guiding member immediately, distally of the distal end of the balloon member, the second sealing plug defining a second stop that prevents the balloon member and waist tube form being displaced distally along the core wire as the catheter is being maneuvered through a vascular system of a patient.