Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for performing a balloon angioplasty procedure and for exchanging a guide wire and an intravascular catheter during the procedure. An intravascular balloon catheter includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion adapted to extend outside the body of a patient during use, a distal portion adapted for connection to a dilation balloon and adapted for positioning intravascularly during use, and an inflation lumen extending therethrough in fluid flow communication with the balloon. In one aspect of the invention, an elongated guide lumen is connected to the catheter such that the guide lumen and catheter are movable relative to each other during use. A proximal portion of the guide lumen is adapted to extend outside the body of a patient during use, and a distal portion of the guide lumen is adapted to extend distally of the balloon during use. In another aspect of the invention, one or both of a guide wire and an intravascular device can be withdrawn from the guide lumen while the guide lumen remains substantially stationary. In yet another aspect of the invention, proximal and distal seal members are adapted to provide a substantially sealing fit around an intravascular device to inhibit the egress of fluid from the balloon.

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First Claim