Catheter system with catheter and guidewire exchange

Claim 1

An elongated catheter for performing an intravascular procedure within a patient's vascular system, comprising: a) an elongated catheter body having proximal and distal ends, an exterior, and a guidewire-receiving inner lumen extending within the catheter body to the distal end thereof; b) means on the distal portion of the catheter body for performing an intravascular procedure; c) a first guidewire port in the catheter body being at or near the proximal end of the catheter body and being in communication with the guidewire-receiving inner lumen; d) a second guidewire port in the catheter body being spaced proximally from the means to perform a vascular procedure and a short distance from the distal end of the catheter body and being in communication with the guidewire-receiving inner lumen; e) a third guidewire port in the distal end of the catheter body which is in communication with the guidewire-receiving inner lumen; and f) a wall portion of the catheter body defining at least in part the guidewire receiving inner lumen, said wall portion being openable substantially from said first guidewire port substantially to said second guidewire port, and from said guidewire-receiving inner lumen to the exterior of said catheter body, to allow a guidewire to exit laterally from the inner lumen through the wall portion by peeling said catheter body from said guidewire.