A rapid exchange balloon catheter including: an outer conduit having a lumen and a wall surrounding the lumen, the wall including a lateral opening formed therein an inner conduit having a proximal end and a distal end a sealing sleeve for sealing the lateral opening of the outer conduit a balloon whose proximal margin is attached to the outer surface of the distal end of the outer conduit, and whose distal margin is attached to the outer surface of the portion of the inner conduit that extends beyond the distal end of the outer conduit a pushing-pulling mechanism disposed in the outer conduit and a fluid port for the introduction of an expansion fluid and for the removal of the expansion fluid.
