Patent ID: 8597275

Claim:
A method of treating a patient, comprising: providing a catheter including a first lumen in fluid communication with a first distal opening and a second lumen in fluid communication with a second distal opening; advancing a distal end of a first intra-catheter stiffener element through the first lumen and out of the first distal opening; coupling the first intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter; advancing a distal end of a second intra-catheter stiffener element through the second lumen and out of the second distal opening; coupling the second intra-catheter stiffener element to the catheter; advancing the catheter into a blood vessel; uncoupling the first intra-catheter stiffener element from the catheter and removing the first intra-catheter stiffener element from the first lumen; and uncoupling the second intra-catheter stiffener element from the catheter and removing the second intra-catheter stiffener element from the second lumen.