Transition region for an intravascular catheter

A method of bonding tubular members to form a catheter shaft segment having a guidewire port, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first generally tubular member having a bonding portion disposed proximate a bonding end thereof, an ancillary end, and a lumen extending therethrough;
• the first tubular member including a support member encased in a substrate material;
• the support member having a plurality of filaments;
• providing a second generally tubular member having a bonding portion disposed proximate a bonding end thereof, an ancillary end, and a lumen extending therethrough;
• providing an inner member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;
• stripping a portion of the substrate material of the first tubular member from the filaments of the support member of the first tubular member proximate the bonding portion thereof to create a plurality of exposed filaments;
• crimping the first tubular member proximate its bonding portion to form a recess;
• positioning the proximal end of a lumen member adjacent to the recess of the first tubular member;
• inserting the distal end of the lumen member into the lumen of the second tubular member;
• inserting at least a portion of the exposed filaments into the lumen of the second tubular member;
• positioning the bonding portion of the first tubular member proximate the bonding portion of the second tubular member;
• and
• heating the bonding portion of the first tubular member and the bonding portion of the second tubular member to form a bond therebetween.