Patent ID: 7846133

Claim:
A biliary catheter rapid exchange system comprising: a biliary catheter sized for passage within an endoscope, the catheter including a shaft having an outer wall, a proximal end and a distal end, and a guide wire lumen extending longitudinally between a location proximate the distal end of the shaft and a location proximal of the distal end of the shaft, an opening into the guide wire lumen at a location proximal of the distal end of the shaft allowing a guide wire to be moved between a location exterior of the guide wire lumen and the guide wire lumen; and at least one peelable layer superimposed over the shaft, the at least one peelable layer defining a first catheter diameter, wherein the at least one peelable layer is configured to be peeled away and removed from the shaft and that removing the at least one peelable layer provides a second catheter having a second catheter diameter that is less than the first catheter diameter; and a sheath assembly having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner passageway therethrough adapted to receive the catheter, the sheath assembly including a sheath at the distal end, the sheath having an opening into the inner passageway allowing for removal of a guide wire contained therein, and a hub at the proximal end, the hub having a locking mechanism moveable between a first position allowing a guide wire within the hub to be moved radially out of the hub, and a second position preventing a guide wire within the hub from being moved radially out of the hub.