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Guidewire replacement method

  • US 5,984,945 A
  • Filed: 06/07/1995
  • Issued: 11/16/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for exchanging a guidewire during an angioplasty procedure wherein a readily exchangeable dilatation catheter having a short guidewire receiving inner lumen in the distal portion thereof extending between a distal guidewire port in the distal end of the dilatation catheter and a proximal guidewire port spaced at least 10 cm from the distal guidewire port, is disposed within a patient'"'"'s vasculature and wherein a first guidewire having proximal and distal ends extends through the short guidewire receiving inner lumen within the distal portion of dilatation catheter, the method comprising:

  • a) providing a guidewire exchange device comprising an elongated shaft with a guidewire receiving inner lumen extending therein, a proximal section, a distal section, a first guidewire port in the proximal section, a second guidewire port in the distal end of the exchange device, and a third guidewire port spaced at least 7 cm from the distal end of the exchange device between the first and second guidewire ports, said guidewire ports being in fluid communication with the inner lumen of the exchange device, and the distal end of the guidewire exchange device being adapted to enter the proximal guidewire port of the dilatation catheter;

    b) mounting the guidewire exchange device onto the proximal end of the first guidewire;

    c) advancing the guidewire exchange device over the first guidewire with the guidewire extending through the second and third guidewire ports;

    d) advancing the distal end of the exchange device into the proximal guidewire port of the dilatation catheter;

    e) withdrawing the first guidewire through the guidewire exchange device distal section and out the third guidewire port thereof by pulling the first guidewire from its proximal end; and

    f) advancing a second guidewire through the inner lumen of the guidewire exchange device, through the short guidewire receiving inner lumen in distal extremity of the dilatation catheter and out the distal end thereof.

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