Patent ID: 7264001

Claim:
A method of using a guidewire with a rapid exchange-type catheter having a guidewire channel and a slot in a wall along a length of the guidewire channel, comprising: (a) loading a guidewire into the guidewire channel of the rapid exchange-type catheter; (b) engaging a proximal end of the guidewire with a guidewire exit tool, the guidewire exit tool including: (i) a handle; (ii) a pin secured to the handle, the pin having a forward facing surface that is solid in the center and tapered; and (iii) a web that secures the pin to the handle, the web being positioned laterally with respect to the long axis of the pin, the web having a forward facing surface that is substantially blunt to prevent cutting the catheter; and (c) wherein the guidewire exit tool is positioned so that the pin is in the guidewire channel and the web extends through the slot and the tapered forward facing surface of the pin faces the slot to lift the guidewire out of the guidewire channel through the slot.