| 摘要 |
A guide catheter ( 16 ) for movement within a vessel ( 12 ) includes a tubular catheter assembly ( 20 ) having an exposed end ( 16 B) that is positioned outside the vessel ( 12 ), and a catheter tip ( 16 A) that is movable within the vessel ( 12 ) with manipulation of the exposed end ( 16 B). In certain embodiments, at least one of a stiffness and a shape of the catheter tip ( 16 A) can be adjusted between a first configuration ( 18 ) and a second configuration ( 318 ) with the exposed end ( 16 B). As a result of this design, the physician can move the distal catheter tip ( 16 A) with less resistance through narrow, tortuous vessels ( 12 ), the physician can accurately position the distal catheter tip ( 16 A) in the ostium ( 12 C), and the distal catheter tip ( 16 A) is more likely to remain in position in the ostium ( 12 C) when a guide wire and other treatment devices are directed through the guide catheter ( 16 ).
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