Patent ID: 7513878

Claim:
A method of connecting a guidewire to an extension guidewire, comprising the steps of: providing an integral guidewire holder and tool for connecting a guidewire to an extension guidewire, wherein the guidewire includes a portion positioned within a patient, and the integral guidewire holder and tool comprises a steering device and a connecting device, the connecting device configured for mating with the steering device to form the integral guidewire holder and tool; gripping the guidewire with the integral guidewire holder and tool by rotating one portion of the integral guidewire holder and tool relative to another portion of the integral guidewire holder and tool, wherein the axis of rotation of the one portion is a longitudinal axis of the guidewire; positioning the guidewire and the extension guidewire in the integral guidewire holder and tool; and connecting the guidewire to the extension guidewire.