Reinforced balloon dilatation catheter with slitted exchange sleeve and method

A rapid exchange type balloon dilatation catheter adapted to be utilized with a guidewire comprising:

• an elongated catheter shaft which has a proximal end, a distal end, a long relatively stiff proximal section and a short relatively flexible distal section;
• a first inner lumen which extends within the proximal and distal sections of the catheter shaft;
• an inflatable balloon at an intermediate location of the distal section of the tubular shaft proximal to the distal end thereof having an interior in fluid communication with the first inner lumen;
• a distal guidewire port in the distal end of the catheter shaft;
• a proximal guidewire port in the catheter shaft which is at a location proximal to the inflatable balloon and distal to the relatively stiff proximal section;
• and
• a second inner lumen which is configured to receive a guidewire therein and which extends from the proximal guidewire port to the distal guidewire port and is in fluid communication therewith.

A rapid exchange type intravascular catheter assembly adapted to be utilized with a guidewire, comprising:

• an elongated catheter shaft which has a proximal end, a distal end, a long relatively stiff proximal shaft section and a short relatively flexible distal shaft section;
• means to perform an intravascular procedure at an intermediate location on the distal shaft section proximal to the distal end of the catheter shaft;
• a distal guidewire port in the distal end of the catheter shaft;
• a proximal guidewire port in the catheter shaft which is at a location a short distance proximal to the distal end of the catheter shaft and distal to the relatively stiff proximal section;
• and
• an inner lumen which is configured to receive a guidewire therein and which extends from the proximal guidewire port to the distal guidewire port and which is in fluid communication therewith.