Catheter

A balloon catheter comprising:

• a tubular proximal shaft having relatively high rigidity;
• a tubular distal shaft having rigidity lower than that of the proximal shaft;
• a tubular intermediate section disposed between the proximal shaft and the distal shaft;
• a hub arranged near a proximal end of the proximal shaft, to which a pressure applying apparatus is attached;
• a balloon provided to a distal portion of the distal shaft to be in fluid communication, to which pressure is applied from the hub;
• and
• a guide wire lumen having a distal aperture located on a distal end side of the distal end of the balloon and a proximal aperture located on a proximal end side of the proximal end of the balloon, through which a guide wire is inserted;
• wherein a reinforcing member consisting of a braided member formed by braiding at least one linear member, is embedded in the intermediate section, by which rigidity of the intermediate section is made lower than that of the proximal shaft and higher than that of the distal shaft.