Catheter system with push rod for advancement of balloon along guidewire

A balloon-tipped catheter and guidewire system, comprising:

• a guidewire;
• a balloon which is elongated in shape with a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, said balloon having a first tubular member mounted therein and extending from said proximal end to said distal end to maintain elongation of said balloon and to provide a through-passage for said guidewire, said first tubular member open at said proximal end to the exterior of said catheter, said balloon further defining an inflatable cavity surrounding said first tubular member;
• a second tubular member external to said balloon and feeding said inflatable cavity through an inflation port at said proximal end of said balloon and adjacent to said first tubular member;
• and
• a cylinder mounted to an elongate rod, with a first lumen passing through said elongate rod and said cylinder to receive said guidewire and a second lumen passing through said cylinder to receive said second tubular member, said first lumen slit longitudinally to permit removal of said guidewire from said cylinder and said elongate rod by lateral separation from said first lumen, and said second lumen and said second tubular members having complementary non-circular cross sections such that when said second tubular member is received within said second lumen, said first lumen is maintained in alignment with said first tubular member and said cylinder abuts said proximal end of said balloon.

A balloon-tipped catheter and guidewire system, comprising:

• a guidewire;
• a balloon having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal axis and defining an inflatable cavity;
• a first tubular member mounted in said balloon and providing a through-passage to receive said guidewire, said first tubular member opening at said proximal end of said balloon:
• a second tubular member external to said balloon and containing an inflation lumen in communication with said inflatable cavity, said inflation lumen being independent of said through-passage;
• a cylinder adapted to slide along said guidewire and to abut said proximal end of said balloon when said guidewire is inserted through said first tubular member;
• and
• an elongate rod affixed to said cylinder and having sufficient axial rigidity to permit pushing said cylinder and thereby said balloon along said guidewire through a bodily passage;
• said cylinder containing a first lumen sized to receive said guidewire and extending only through said cylinder, and a second lumen sized to receive said second tubular member and extending through both said cylinder and said elongate rod.