Patent ID: 7207981
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A catheter and guidewire exchange system, comprising: a catheter, comprising: an elongate shaft having an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end, a first lumen extending through the shaft from the shaft proximal end to the shaft distal end, and sized to receive a guidewire, and a longitudinal guideway extending distally from the shaft proximal end, and enabling transverse access from the shaft exterior surface to the first lumen; and a guide member, comprising: a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter passageway extending through the housing from the proximal end to the distal end and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, a guidewire passageway extending from the housing proximal end into the catheter passageway, and comprising a tube adapted to merge the guidewire transversely through the guideway and into the first lumen, a rigid nose cone attached to the housing and having an aperture extending therethrough that is continuous with the catheter passageway and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, and a first gasket positioned in line with the catheter passageway, and tightenable to impede catheter movement through the catheter passageway and further comprising a second gasket positioned inside the nose cone aperture and having an aperture extending through that is adapted to slidingly receive the catheter.