An interventional catheter for angioplasty and the like, including a
catheter tube including an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member
disposed within the lumen of the outer tubular member, and a balloon
attached to the distal end of the outer tubular member and the distal end
of the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a first
portion having a first stiffness and a second portion having a second
stiffness less than the first stiffness. The inner tubular member has an
inner surface having a first coefficient of friction and an outer surface
having a second coefficient of friction greater than the first
coefficient of friction.