Patent ID: 8636714

Claim:
A single lumen microcatheter, comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongate shaft having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a single lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the elongate shaft and fluidly connecting the proximal end to an opening at the distal end of the elongate shaft; an elongate guidewire port positioned proximal of the distal end of the elongate shaft, the elongate guidewire port extending from the inner surface of the elongate shaft to the outer surface of the elongate shaft; and a polymer sheath disposed over the elongate guidewire port, the polymer sheath having an inner surface and an outer surface, the polymer sheath having a length measured from a proximal end of the polymer sheath to a distal end of the polymer sheath, the polymer sheath including a passage comprising an angled slit extending radially through the polymer sheath at an angle such that the slit has a depth that is greater than a thickness of the polymer sheath, the slit disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, the slit having a length measured parallel to the length of the polymer sheath and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, the length of the slit being less than the length of the polymer sheath such that the slit extends along only a portion of the length of the polymer sheath, the passage in communication with the elongate guidewire port, wherein the passage is configured to permit guidewire access through the elongate guidewire port while remaining substantially fluid tight in use when no guidewire is provided through the passage; and wherein when no guidewire is provided through the passage, the single lumen is substantially fluid tight from the proximal end of the elongate shaft to the opening at the distal end of the elongate shaft.