A metal balloon catheter having a main tubular body, a metal balloon
proximate a distal end of the main tubular body, a central annulus
extending along an entire longitudinal aspect of the catheter for
accommodating a guidewire therethrough and an inflation annulus adjacent
the central annulus which extends along the longitudinal axis of the main
tubular body and terminates in fluid flow communication with an inflation
chamber of the metal balloon. The metal balloon catheter may be either
unitary integral metal catheter in which the main tubular body and the
balloon are fabricated of metal, or it may consist of a polymeric main
tubular body and a metal balloon.