A rapid exchange catheter comprises a guide wire lumen including a
substantially sealed portion in which a lumen wall extends around an
entire periphery thereof and a channel portion including a channel
opening the lumen to an exterior of the catheter, wherein a width of the
channel is less than a maximum width of the channel portion. A guide wire
ramp extends into the channel portion, with the ramp extending further
into the lumen of the channel portion as a distal end of the ramp is
approached.