Patent ID: 6575993
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
An intravascular assembly for performing a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure within a human patient's body and which is configured for percutaneous introduction into and advancement within the patient's vasculature to the location where the procedure is to be performed, comprising:a) an intravascular catheter having an elongated catheter shaft which has proximal and distal ends, a distal shaft section which is configured for advancement through the patient's vasculature to a location within the patient's body where the procedure is to be performed, a proximal shaft section which is much longer than the distal shaft section and which is configured to have a distal portion within the patient and a proximal portion thereof extending out of the patient during the procedure, a distal guidewire opening in the distal end of the shaft, a proximal guidewire opening spaced at least about 10 cm proximally from the distal end of the catheter shaft and a relatively long distance distally from the proximal end of the catheter shaft so as to remain within the patient during the procedure, a therapeutic or diagnostic member on the distal shaft section to perform the procedure which is configured for percutaneous introduction into and advancement through the patient's vasculature to the location where the procedure is to be performed and which is spaced closer to the distal end of the catheter shaft than to the proximal guidewire opening, a guidewire passageway which extends between and is in fluid communication with the distal guidewire opening and the proximal guidewire opening; and b) a guidewire which has an elongated shaft and a flexible distal extremity, which is configured for advancement within the patient's vasculature, which is longer than the intravascular catheter and which is slidably disposed within the guidewire passageway of the intravascular catheter to facilitate delivery of the catheter thereover to the location within the patient's body where the procedure is to be performed.