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Catheter guiding and positioning method

  • US 5,054,500 A
  • Filed: 04/13/1989
  • Issued: 10/08/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of guiding and centering a treatment catheter at a treatment site within a passageway in a human body by way of a guiding tube, the guiding tube including a distal end dimensioned to pass freely along the passageway, a longitudinal lumen through the tube dimensioned to receive the treatment catheter, and a radially expandable membrane at the distal end of the tube, comprising the steps of:

  • extending a guidewire through the lumen and along the tube;

    passing the distal end of the tube and the guidewire through the passageway to the treatment site;

    expanding the membrane so that the membrane pushes against an inner wall of the passageway to center the distal end of the tube;

    removing the guidewire; and

    passing the treatment catheter through the longitudinal lumen of the tube to the treatment site.

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