Patent ID: 6129708
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A catheter for accessing the coronary arteries in a human, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:an elongate stiff proximal segment formed of metal;a relatively flexible elongate plastic member mounted to the proximal segment;said proximal segment being smaller in cross-sectional configuration than the plastic member and being substantially stiffer than the plastic member to provide a sufficient column strength for the proximal segment to resist buckling when advanced through the patient's arteries;said plastic member having a longitudinally extending guidewire lumen, said guidewire lumen having a proximal opening and a distal opening whereby when a guidewire is contained within the lumen, the catheter will have continuous column support from its proximal end to its distal tip;said guidewire lumen being open only at said proximal and distal openings, said plastic member completely and continuously circumscribing the guidewire lumen to preclude a guidewire from exiting the guidewire lumen laterally between the proximal and distal openings; andan instrumentality carried by the distal end of the plastic member adapted to perform a procedure in a coronary artery.