| abstract |
A low profile wire perfusion catheter is disclosed for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The catheter includes a wire configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The wire is hollow and defines an axial lumen therein. An inflation balloon is attached directly to the wire and is configured to expand radially outward in response to inflation thereof. Inflow and outflow perfusion ports extend through the wire and communicate with the lumen to allow perfusion of blood across the balloon when the balloon is inflated within a blood vessel. Because the balloon is attached directly to the wire, the catheter has an advantageously low cross-sectional area. |