Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for effecting a catheter exchange comprising: providing a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end; providing a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the first catheter being shorter than the guide wire; placing the guide wire within a patient's lumen so that the proximal end of the guide wire protrudes exteriorly of the patient; placing the first catheter in a patient's lumen over the guide wire so that the proximal end of the catheter protrudes exteriorly of the patient and with the proximal end of the guide wire protruding proximally of the proximal end of the catheter; providing an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; connecting the distal end of the extension wire to the proximal end of the guide wire; while holding either of the guide wire or extension wire to maintain the position of the guide wire in the patient's vessel, drawing the first catheter proximally over the guide wire and extension wire to remove the first catheter from the patient's lumen; placing a second catheter over the proximal end of the exchange wire and advancing the second catheter over the extension wire and guide wire and into the patient's lumen, thereby to effect said catheter change without requiring removal of the guide wire.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
A method for effecting a catheter exchange comprising: providing a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end; providing a first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the first catheter being shorter than the guide wire; placing the guide wire within a patient's lumen so that the proximal end of the guide wire protrudes exteriorly of the patient; placing the first catheter in a patient's lumen over the guide wire so that the proximal end of the catheter protrudes exteriorly of the patient and with the proximal end of the guide wire protruding proximally of the proximal end of the catheter; providing an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end; connecting the distal end of the extension wire to the proximal end of the guide wire; while holding either of the guide wire or extension wire to maintain the position of the guide wire in the patient's vessel, drawing the first catheter proximally over the guide wire and extension wire to remove the first catheter from the patient's lumen; placing a second catheter over the proximal end of the exchange wire and advancing the second catheter over the extension wire and guide wire and into the patient's lumen, thereby to effect said catheter change without requiring removal of the guide wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising: thereafter separating the extension wire from the guide wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of connecting the extension wire to the guide wire includes the step of providing one of said guide wire or extension wire with a tubular socket and mating said guide wire and extension wire by inserting an end of the other of said guide wire or extension wire into said socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of connecting the extension wire to the guide wire further comprises effecting a mechanical interlock between said tubular socket and said inserted end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of effecting a mechanical interlock comprises mechanically crimping said mated portion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in any of claims 1, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said lumen comprises the lumen of a blood vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein said blood vessel comprises an artery and in which said catheter exchange is performed during catheterization of a portion of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the guide wire is steerable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 6 wherein at least one of said catheters comprises a balloon dilatation catheter.