Patent ID: 7867219
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for steering a guide wire within bodily passages of a patient, the method comprising: introducing a variable stiffness guidewire into a first body passage; targeting a branch body passage having a diameter of not more than 4 mm and extending from the first body passage at an angle; deploying a guide catheter over the guidewire such that a distal section of the guide catheter is adjacent the branch passage; manipulating the guide catheter such that a distal tip portion of the distal section forms a curved shape; manipulating the guidewire and the guide catheter relative to one another to change an effective curvature of the curved shape distal tip portion until a distal end of the distal tip portion faces the branch body passage; distally advancing the guidewire such that the curved distal tip steers the guidewire into the branch body passage; and advancing the guide catheter over the guidewire and into the branch body passage.