SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING MULTIPLE MEDICAL DEVICES

摘要

A method and apparatus for introducing a first elongate medical device and short wire guide that are coupled together into a work site and remotely disconnecting them within the work site such that a secondary device comprising a catheter member can be introduced over the wire guide to the work site, and/or a second wire guide can be introduced to the work site via a passageway of the primary access device. A separating member may be provided to remotely separate the wire guide from the elongate medical device.

主权项

1. An elongate medical device for introducing multiple members into a work site within a bodily lumen of a patient comprising:
an elongate flexible shaft extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a lumen extending through at least a portion of the shaft, the lumen comprising a coupling region defined between a distal opening and a proximal opening each disposed through a side wall of the shaft, the distal opening being disposed proximate to or upon the distal end of the shaft, the proximal opening being disposed a substantial distance from the proximal end of the shaft and a relatively shorter distance from the distal end of the shaft, wherein each of the distal and proximal openings are configured to pass an elongate wire guide therethrough; an elongate separating member disposed coaxially with the shaft and slidably mounted about an outer surface of the shaft, wherein a portion of the wire guide may be disposed within the lumen with opposite ends of the portion of the wire guide extending through the respective distal and proximal openings when in a coupled configuration, and may be transferred to an uncoupled configuration where the wireguide is withdrawn from the lumen and through the coupling region while maintaining the distal end of the shaft and the distal end of the wire guide within the bodily lumen of the patient, wherein the separating member is configured to engage and move the wire guide laterally from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration while maintaining the distal end of the shaft and the distal end of the wire guide within the bodily lumen of the patient and without substantially changing the longitudinal position of the wire guide relative to the shaft; and wherein the separating member is configured to engage and move the wire guide laterally from the coupled configuration to the uncoupled configuration without extending into the lumen of the shaft.