Guidewire exchange catheter

摘要

A catheter for facilitating the exchange of guidewires during the course of a transluminal angioplasty or related procedure which comprises an elongated, flexible, tubular member having at least one lumen running the full length thereof from its proximal end to its distal end and which at least three apertures or ports extending through the wall thereof at longitudinally spaced locations near the distal end of the tubular member. These ports communicate with the lumen of the tubular member and a longitudinal slit is also provided through the wall of the tubular member connecting the most proximal port to the next proximal port. The exchange catheter may also include a proximal hub connected to the proximal end of the elongated plastic tube.