the sequence of operation of a device constructed and operative according to an embodiment of the present invention according to which the percussive motion is used repeatedly to drive a channel through an occlusion in this case the percussive device 10 is integrated with a balloon device 12 after the percussion device has cleared a pathway through the occlusion states a d the balloon device is brought into alignment with the remaining part of the obstacle state e and inflated state f to achieve further broadening of the open channel of the vessel clearly any type of balloon with or without an associated stent may be integrated with the percussion device the entire device is then removed fig2 a 2c illustrate several non limiting examples of tip configurations for the percussive weight 14 of the present invention a smooth conical tip fig2 a tends to achieve outward compression of the displaced material while minimizing the quantity of particulate debris generated in contrast the saw toothed tip structure of fig2 b tends to break up the material forming the occlusion more rapidly as it is launched into the occlusion material and then withdrawn prior to the next percussive stroke a further option illustrated in fig2 c is a spring tipped weight with a rounded end particularly for impact guide wire implementations i e without a separate guide wire a spring.