Rapid exchange catheter
First Claim
1. An improved over the wire rapid exchange catheter having a generally elongated catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, a first guidewire port at said distal end where the guidewire enters said catheter body, and a second guidewire port spaced proximally from said distal end where the guidewire exits said catheter body, the improvement comprising:
- a reference marker affixed to said catheter body near said proximal end;
an elongated guidewire channel formed on said catheter body near said proximal end;
a third guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire enters said proximal guidewire channel distal to said reference marker; and
a fourth guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire exits said proximal guidewire channel at the extreme proximal end of said elongated catheter body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novel over the wire-rapid exchange catheter is provided comprising a novel proximal end, which works in conjunction with the distal end of a traditional rapid exchange catheter, having a particular arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 which serves to enhance the users ability to properly operate and maneuver the guidewire/catheter, and thus to more effectively carry out the catherization procedure.
Additionally, an OTW-RE catheter is provided with a means for rapidly removing the guidewire from the proximal end of the catheter, at the appropriate time during the procedure, while preserving the integrity of the device.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An improved over the wire rapid exchange catheter having a generally elongated catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end, a first guidewire port at said distal end where the guidewire enters said catheter body, and a second guidewire port spaced proximally from said distal end where the guidewire exits said catheter body, the improvement comprising:
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a reference marker affixed to said catheter body near said proximal end; an elongated guidewire channel formed on said catheter body near said proximal end; a third guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire enters said proximal guidewire channel distal to said reference marker; and a fourth guidewire port formed in said proximal guidewire channel where the guidewire exits said proximal guidewire channel at the extreme proximal end of said elongated catheter body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of using an OTW-RE catheter, comprising the steps of:
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providing a guide catheter inserted into a patient to a selected location, said guide catheter having a selectively sealable "O" ring for sealing a proximal end of said guide catheter; providing an OTW-RE catheter having a balloon or other therapeutic or diagnostic distal end, having a distal end of a guidewire threaded through a distal portion of the body of said OTW-RE catheter, having said guidewire exiting said distal portion of said catheter body, having an intermediate portion of said guidewire passing alongside said catheter body from said distal portion to a guidewire entrance port on a guidewire channel formed on a proximal portion of said catheter body where said guidewire re-enters said catheter body, and having a proximal end of said guidewire exiting said proximal guidewire channel; providing a reference marker on said catheter body at a selected location to demonstrate appropriate length of insertion of said catheter body into the patient; providing a torque device attached to said proximal end of said guidewire; advancing said OTW-RE catheter through said guide catheter until said reference marker on said OTW-RE catheter is reached; tightening said "O" ring around said reference marker; advancing said guidewire to a selected treatment location with the simultaneous injection of contrast dye; advancing said OTW-RE catheter as required to support said guidewire in regions of tortuosity; dilating by inflating said balloon or effecting another therapeutic or diagnostic means; subsequently withdrawing said OTW-RE catheter so that said guidewire entrance port is exposed; tightening said "O" ring to prevent further movement of said OTW-RE catheter; flexing said catheter body so that said guidewire separates slightly from said catheter body; removing said torque device from said guidewire; pulling on said guidewire until it is removed from said proximal guidewire channel; and exchanging said OTW-RE catheter in the conventional rapid exchange manner. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification