BALLOON CATHETER ASSEMBLY FOR INSERTION AND POSITIONING THERAPEUTIC DEVICES WITHIN A VASCULAR SYSTEM

摘要

A balloon catheter (10) which allows for faster preparation and more effective purging of air, while providing a space efficient design, wherein the balloon catheter includes a tubular outer member (12) and a tubular inner member (30) disposed in the lumen of the outer member such that the outer member and inner member define an annular fluid path (36) between them. A balloon (46) is secured to and circumferentially surrounds an outer surface of the distal portion of the outer member. A tubular seal (56) is disposed circumferentially around the inner surface of the distal portion of the outer member. The inner member is movable longitudinally relative to the outer member from a non-sealing position in which the annular fluid path is open, and a sealing position in which the distal portion of the inner member contacts the seal thereby sealing the annular fluid path at the seal.