A balloon catheter system for the intraluminal advancement of conventionalguidewires beyond partially or fullyoccluded or stenosed lesions in body passages, such as CTOs in thevasculature, is provided. Balloons are provided. In certainembodiments of the invention, a balloon having relatively thickened proximaltapers is provided. In certain embodiments of theinvention, balloons having a tapered midsection are provided. The balloons arepreferably useful with crossing balloon cathetersystems. In certain embodiments of the invention, the balloons preferablyreduce or minimize trauma to the vascular wall or wall ofother body passage in which it is used.
