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Abstract

A method for performing an angioplasty procedure for treating one or more stenoses in a blood vessel and branches thereof of a patient using a low profile balloon-on-a-wire catheter which has a flexible elongate tubular member with proximal and distal extremities and a removable inflation device removably secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. The method comprises the steps of inserting the balloon-on-a-wire catheter into the vessel so that the balloon is disposed in a selected stenosis in the vessel. The removable inflation device is placed on the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member so that it is in communication with the lumen in the flexible elongate tubular member. The balloon is inflated to create an enlarged flow passage through the selected stenosis. The removable inflation device is removed from the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member. A balloon catheter is introduced over the flexible elongate tubular member utilizing the flexible elongate tubular member as a stand-alone guide wire for guiding the balloon of the balloon catheter into the selected stenosis while the balloon of the balloon-on-a-wire catheter is deflated. The balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated to create a larger flow passage in the stenosis.

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