A system, comprising: a tip protection device , comprising a reduced diameter distal portion ; an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the lumen being sized and configured to slidably receive a catheter ; and a locking mechanism ; and a guide tube comprising: an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the central lumen including a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the proximal portion being sized to receive the reduced diameter distal portion of the tip protection device and the distal portion being sized to receive at least a portion of a catheter inserted through the tip protection device ; and a set screw received in a lateral opening formed in a proximal end of the guide tube , the set screw locking the tip protector in place within the central lumen of the elongate body of the guide tube , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the elongate body in a fixed longitudinal position relative to a catheter inserted through the central lumen. a tip protection device , comprising a reduced diameter distal portion ; an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the lumen being sized and configured to slidably receive a catheter ; and a locking mechanism ; and an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the lumen being sized and configured to slidably receive a catheter ; and a locking mechanism ; and a guide tube comprising: an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the central lumen including a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the proximal portion being sized to receive the reduced diameter distal portion of the tip protection device and the distal portion being sized to receive at least a portion of a catheter inserted through the tip protection device ; and a set screw received in a lateral opening formed in a proximal end of the guide tube , the set screw locking the tip protector in place within the central lumen of the elongate body of the guide tube , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the elongate body in a fixed longitudinal position relative to a catheter inserted through the central lumen. an elongate body having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the central lumen including a proximal portion having a first diameter and a distal portion having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the proximal portion being sized to receive the reduced diameter distal portion of the tip protection device and the distal portion being sized to receive at least a portion of a catheter inserted through the tip protection device ; and a set screw received in a lateral opening formed in a proximal end of the guide tube , the set screw locking the tip protector in place within the central lumen of the elongate body of the guide tube , wherein the locking mechanism is configured to selectively maintain the elongate body in a fixed longitudinal position relative to a catheter inserted through the central lumen. <EOS>