the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents referring initially to fig1 a catheter 1 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention the catheter 1 of the present invention basically comprises a catheter shaft 2 provided with a proximal end 3 and a distal end 4 which are shown in fig1 in a strongly shortened condition a balloon 24 which is only illustrated schematically is secured to the distal end 4 furthermore the catheter 1 comprises a fitting 5 which is normally designed as a luer fitting the fitting 5 is secured to the proximal end 3 of the catheter shaft 2 and may comprise a housing 25 of a standard construction with a passageway 26 in flow communication with the catheter shaft 2 the fitting 5 is connected to a pressure device inflation device for expanding the balloon 24 the proximal end 3 of the catheter shaft 2 of the catheter 1 according to the invention is provided with a bending section 6 having a flexibility greater than that of the section 3 u2032 of the catheter shaft 2 joining the proximal end 3 said bending section 6 prevents unintended kinking in the way explained at the outset in the embodiment which is shown in fig1.