Guide wire exchange catheter system

摘要

A guide wire exchange system including an elongate, flexible, guide wire exchange catheter capable exchanging one guide wire for another in a safe, efficient, and secured manner, where a primary guide wire, after having been advanced through the body, is to be replaced with a secondary guide wire that is to be securely advanced through the body to the target site by the advancement of the exchange catheter over the path of the primary wire. The exchange catheter may include a securement element in order to releasably secure at least one guide wire to the exchange catheter at or near the distal end of the exchange catheter. Once secured, both the exchange catheter and the secured guide wire(s) may be advanced or retracted in a synchronous manner, without the possibility of divergence at the distal ends of the secured components as they are being manipulated by an operator.

主权项

1. A catheter system for positioning a second guide wire adjacent to a first guide wire, said first guide wire located within a lumen in a living being, said catheter system comprising:
an exchange catheter having at least first and second lumen segments and a reversible securement mechanism arranged to be engaged and disengaged, and while in an engaged position said reversible securement mechanism releasably and reversibly holds said second guide wire in a fixed position at or near a distal end of said exchange catheter, and wherein said first lumen segment is slidably arranged over said first guide wire to guide said catheter system along said first guide wire, and further wherein each of said first and second lumen segments comprises a distal opening, and said distal opening of said first lumen segment is distinct from said distal opening of said second lumen segment.