RETROGRADE-ANTEGRADE CATHETERIZATION GUIDE WIRE

摘要

An catheterization apparatus (10) for reversing the retrograde or antegrade direction of catheterization includes a guide wire (12) foldable upon itself for partial introduction into a vessel (68) of a patient. The guide wire (12) first includes a resilient, elongated member (14) having a curved end (16) and a remainder (17) having a second, bent end (18). The guide wire (12) also includes a flexible tether (22) connected to the tip (20) of the curved end (16) of the elongated member (14). The elongated member (14) is preferably formed from a wire core or mandrel (24) covered by a continuous coiled wire (30). The catheterization apparatus (10) preferably further includes a catheter through which the guide wire (12) is introduced into the vessel (68). The catheter can be of conventional construction and operability. Preferably, however, the catheter is a highly flexible and relatively short intermediary catheter (56), employed only temporarily during use of the retrograde-antegrade guide wire (12). The catheterization apparatus (10) can also include an inserter sheath (60) engageable with the catheter (56) to facilitate passage of the guide wire (12) through the catheter (56). The apparatus (10) is particularly advantageous in that its use avoids the need to establish a second access site. Moreover, the apparatus (10) is relatively simple and reliable in construction and use, and is relatively low in cost, at least in comparison to the costs and risks of the establishment of a second access site. The apparatus (10) is a traumatic during use, that is, it does not significantly damage the blood vessel or other vessel during reversal of the direction of catheterization. The apparatus (10) is useful in vessels of both large and small diameters, and facilitates the selective engagement of a catheter with a bifurcation branch in a vessel.