Boston Scientific Corporation

Boston Scientific Technology, Inc.

Sandra G Tartaglino

John E Abele

Erik C Andersen

Nikolaus Reifart

Timothy W Wheeler

Robert D Ferguson

A stiffenable balloon catheter assembly capable of being converted from an &ldquo;over-the-wire&rdquo; mode with respect to a guidewire extending therethrough to a &ldquo;rapid-exchange&rdquo; mode with respect to a guidewire extending therethrough, and vice versa. The catheter has a plurality of lumens, one lumen however, having a side opening with an obstructable galp, the orientation of which, determines the utilization &ldquo;mode&rdquo; of the catheter assembly. Stiffening stylets may be adjustably locked into the lumens, depending upon the &ldquo;mode&rdquo;, to control the stiffness of the catheter assembly during its utilization within a patient.

Adjustably stiffenable convertible catheter assembly

A micro occlusion balloon catheter and methods for use and manufacture thereof, comprising an elongate member having a proximal and a distal end and a first and second lumen connected to said proximal end. The first lumen communicates with an occlusion balloon located at the distal end of the elongate member. The second lumen extends the entire length of the elongate member and allows for the placement of the catheter over a guidewire. Second lumen 15, communicates with infusion opening 17, located distal to occlusion balloon 16. A further embodiment comprises a third lumen connected to the proximal end of the elongate member. The third lumen may communicate with an infusion port located either proximally or distally to the occlusion balloon. In a still further embodiment the first lumen, the inflation/deflation balloon lumen, of the two lumen embodiment may be adapted to receive a removable stiffening stylet to ease insertion. In the three lumen embodiment, lumen one, the inflation/deflation balloon lumen, and/or the second or third infusion lumens may be proportioned so as to receive stiffening stylets.

Method of delivering a therapeutic agent or diagnostic device using a

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Canton, MA, United States of America

Sandra G Tartaglino