Balloon catheter with floating hub

Abstract

A balloon catheter for use with a guidewire includes an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is connected to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon including a working surface. A radiopaque identifier is provided for identifying the working surface. A receiver adjacent the proximal end of the shaft is adapted for allowing the shaft to move relative to the receiver in at least the longitudinal direction.

1 . A balloon catheter for use with a guidewire, comprising:
 an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   an inflatable balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon including a working surface;   a radiopaque identifier for identifying the working surface; and   a receiver adjacent the proximal end of the shaft and adapted for allowing the shaft to move relative to the receiver in at least the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft carries a stop, and the receiver further includes a recess for receiving the stop, said recess having a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the stop. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , further including a tube for supplying an inflation fluid to inflate the balloon, said tube being connected to the receiver and generally coaxial with the shaft, and wherein the stop forms a seal with the recess to prevent the inflation fluid from passing around the shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the seal comprises an O-ring arranged coaxially with the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque identifier is separate from the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the radiopaque identifier comprises an insert positioned within the interior compartment of the balloon. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the insert comprises a tubular sleeve arranged coaxially with the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the insert comprises a first insert at a proximal end of the balloon and a second insert at a distal end of the balloon. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further including a guidewire for positioning in the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . A hub for a balloon catheter having an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inflatable balloon connected to the distal end of the shaft for being inflated by an inflation fluid, comprising:
 a body including a receiver for receiving a proximal portion of the shaft and adapted for allowing the shaft to move relative to the receiver in at least the longitudinal direction; and   a stop for restraining the movement of the shaft relative to the body in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         11 . The hub of  claim 10 , wherein the body includes a guidewire port arranged in communication with the receiver, and further including an inflation port for introducing the inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. 
     
     
         12 . The hub of  claim 10 , wherein the receiver further includes a recess for receiving the stop, said recess having a dimension in the longitudinal direction that is greater than a corresponding dimension of the stop. 
     
     
         13 . The hub of  claim 10 , wherein the stop forms a seal with the recess to prevent the inflation fluid from passing. 
     
     
         14 . The hub of  claim 10 , wherein the stop comprises an O-ring. 
     
     
         15 . A catheter including a guidewire shaft having a distal end connected to a balloon and at a proximal end mounted for sliding movement. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter of  claim 15 , further including a drug on the balloon. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter of  claim 15 , further comprising a hub for receiving the proximal end of the guidewire shaft, the shaft being adapted to slidably move in a restrained manner relative to the hub.