Patent ID: 8206320
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of introducing multiple medical devices into a work site within a bodily lumen of a patient, comprising the steps of: a. advancing both a guiding member and a first elongate medical device, each having a distal end, a distal portion, and a proximal portion, into the work site to perform a first medical operation such that the distal ends of the guiding member and the first elongate medical device are positioned within the work site while maintaining the proximal portions of the guiding member and the first elongate medical device external to the patient, the first elongate medical device engaging the guiding member along a coupling region having a first end and a second end located proximal thereto, the coupling region being located about the distal portion of the first elongate medical device; b. longitudinally advancing the first elongate medical device relative to the guiding member in a controlled manner until it can be determined that the guiding member has disengaged from the coupling region of the elongate medical device such that the guiding member and the first elongate medical device are uncoupled from one another while remaining within the work site; c. coupling a third elongate medical device to one of the guiding member and the first elongate medical device; and d. advancing the third elongate medical device to the work site, wherein the guiding member and the first elongate medical device include an alignment indication system configured for use by the operator to determine when the guiding member and the first elongate medical device have uncoupled from one another within the work site, the alignment indication system comprising a first proximal indicator located about the proximal portion of the guiding member and a second proximal indicator located about the proximal portion of the first elongate medical device, the first and second proximal indicators configured to be spaced relative to one another during the first medical operation to indicate that uncoupling of the guiding member and the first elongate medical device within the work site is at least imminent, the first and second proximal indicators configured to remain external to the patient during the first medical operation; and wherein the method further comprises the step of visually monitoring the alignment indication system externally of the patient until the first and second proximal indicators are substantially aligned to thereby indicate that uncoupling of the guiding member and the first elongate medical device has occurred within the work site.