Selective catheter guide
First Claim
1. A sheath for directionally inserting a guidewire or catheter into a blood vessel, said sheath comprising:
- an elongate body having a proximate end and a distal end, said body including at least two lumens disposed generally axially therein, where (1) a first of the lumens extends from the proximate end to the distal end and projects axially from the distal end and (2) a second of the lumens extends from the proximate end to a first point between the proximate end and the distal end and projects generally laterally from the body at a first preselected angle relative to the axial direction; and
means at the proximate end of the body for selectively passing the catheter or guidewire through one of the lumens while sealing the other lumen or lumens.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A guiding sheath for inserting guidewires or vascular catheters within a blood vessel includes an elongate body having plurality of axial lumens. At least some of the lumens project laterally from the body at preselected angles so that, when inserted therethrough, the guidewire or catheter will exit at said preselected angle to facilitate directing the guidewire or catheter to the proper location within the vascular system. Usually, the insertional sheath will include a primary axial lumen which is used for inserting the sheath on a guidewire to a location where a branching in the vascular system occurs. The sheath is then positioned under fluoroscopic guidance so that one of the lumens is then properly located to direct the guidewire or catheter in the desired direction.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A sheath for directionally inserting a guidewire or catheter into a blood vessel, said sheath comprising:
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an elongate body having a proximate end and a distal end, said body including at least two lumens disposed generally axially therein, where (1) a first of the lumens extends from the proximate end to the distal end and projects axially from the distal end and (2) a second of the lumens extends from the proximate end to a first point between the proximate end and the distal end and projects generally laterally from the body at a first preselected angle relative to the axial direction; and means at the proximate end of the body for selectively passing the catheter or guidewire through one of the lumens while sealing the other lumen or lumens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A sheath for directionally inserting a catheter or guidewire into a blood vessel, said sheath comprising:
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an elongate cylindrical body having a flared proximate end and a tapered distal end defining a tip, said body having (1) a first lumen extending from the flared proximate end to the proximate end of the tip of the distal end where said first lumen projects from said tip in a substantially axial direction, and (2) a second lumen extending from said flared proximate end to a first point between the proximate end and the distal end where said second lumen projects laterally through the cylindrical wall at a first preselected angle relative to the axial direction; and a cap rotatably secured to the flared distal end of the body, said cap including a single port which selectively aligns with one lumen at a time to allow insertion of the catheter or guidewire through the aligned lumen while the remaining lumens remain closed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An improved insertion sheath of the type including an elongate body having an axial lumen for inserting a vascular catheter or guidewire, said improvement comprising at least one additional axial lumen, which additional lumen extends from a proximate end of the body and projects generally laterally from the body at a preselected angle relative to the axial direction by the body, and means at the proximate end for selectively passing the catheter or guidewire through one of the lumens while sealing the other lumen or lumens.
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11. A method for inserting a vascular catheter or guidewire into a blood vessel, said method comprising:
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subcutaneously inserting a guide sheath proximate the blood vessel, said guide sheath having an elongate body with a plurality of lumens extending from one end and defining lateral discharge ports which are axially-spaced apart along the body; positioning the sheath so that the discharge port of one of said lumens is generally aligned with the blood vessel; and inserting the vascular catheter or guidewire through said one lumen, whereby the catheter or guidewire enters the blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification