US Patent 9079000 Integrated crossing balloon catheter

An integrated crossing balloon catheter. The catheter includes a hub assembly secured to the proximal end of the catheter shaft, an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end of the catheter shaft, and a stiffening tube positioned over the inflatable balloon and a distal end portion of the catheter shaft. The stiffening tube is configured to be advanced through a vasculature with the catheter shaft as a unit. The stiffening tube is translatable along the catheter shaft from a first position in which the inflatable balloon is within the stiffening tube to a second position in which the inflatable balloon is exposed from the stiffening tube.