Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for performing a coronary procedure on a patient comprising the steps of: (a) selectively positioning a guide catheter into a coronary artery of the patient; (b) positioning a coronary guide wire through a lumen of the guide catheter, out the distal end of said guide catheter and into the coronary artery; (c) positioning a guide catheter exchange device over the guide wire while the guide wire is positioned in the lumen of the guide catheter so that a distal end of said guide catheter exchange device extends distally of the distal end of the guide catheter while a proximal portion of said guide catheter exchange device extends proximally outside the patient's body; (d) withdrawing said guide catheter proximally over said guide catheter exchange device and entirely out of the patient's body while maintaining the distal end of the guide catheter exchange device in position in the coronary artery; (e) after withdrawing the guide catheter, positioning a second guide catheter over the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device; and (f) advancing the second guide catheter over the guide catheter exchange device and into the coronary artery, wherein said guide catheter exchange device has a length relative to the guide catheter such that during steps (c) and (d) the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device outside the patient's body is greater than the length of the guide catheter, and the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device is smaller in diameter than the distal portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for performing a coronary procedure on a patient comprising the steps of: (a) selectively positioning a guide catheter into a coronary artery of the patient; (b) positioning a coronary guide wire through a lumen of the guide catheter, out the distal end of said guide catheter and into the coronary artery; (c) positioning a guide catheter exchange device over the guide wire while the guide wire is positioned in the lumen of the guide catheter so that a distal end of said guide catheter exchange device extends distally of the distal end of the guide catheter while a proximal portion of said guide catheter exchange device extends proximally outside the patient's body; (d) withdrawing said guide catheter proximally over said guide catheter exchange device and entirely out of the patient's body while maintaining the distal end of the guide catheter exchange device in position in the coronary artery; (e) after withdrawing the guide catheter, positioning a second guide catheter over the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device; and (f) advancing the second guide catheter over the guide catheter exchange device and into the coronary artery, wherein said guide catheter exchange device has a length relative to the guide catheter such that during steps (c) and (d) the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device outside the patient's body is greater than the length of the guide catheter, and the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device is smaller in diameter than the distal portion.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for performing a coronary procedure on a patient comprising the steps of: (a) selectively positioning a guide catheter into a coronary artery of the patient; (b) positioning a coronary guide wire through a lumen of the guide catheter, out the distal end of said guide catheter and into the coronary artery; (c) positioning a guide catheter exchange device over the guide wire while the guide wire is positioned in the lumen of the guide catheter so that a distal end of said guide catheter exchange device extends distally of the distal end of the guide catheter while a proximal portion of said guide catheter exchange device extends proximally outside the patient's body; (d) withdrawing said guide catheter proximally over said guide catheter exchange device and entirely out of the patient's body while maintaining the distal end of the guide catheter exchange device in position in the coronary artery; (e) after withdrawing the guide catheter, removing a first sheath in a femoral artery, placing a larger sheath over the guide catheter exchange device into the femoral artery, and positioning a second, larger guide catheter over the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device; and (f) advancing the second, larger guide catheter over the guide catheter exchange device and into the coronary artery, said guide catheter exchange device having a length relative to the guide catheter such that during steps (c) and (d) the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device outside the patient's body is greater than the length of the guide catheter.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for performing a coronary procedure on a patient comprising the steps of: (a) selectively positioning a guide catheter into a coronary artery of the patient; (b) positioning a coronary guide wire through a lumen of the guide catheter, out the distal end of said guide catheter and into the coronary artery; (c) positioning a guide catheter exchange device over the guide wire while the guide wire is positioned in the lumen of the guide catheter so that a distal end of said guide catheter exchange device extends distally of the distal end of the guide catheter while a proximal portion of said guide catheter exchange device extends proximally outside the patient's body; (d) withdrawing said guide catheter proximally over said guide catheter exchange device and entirely out of the patient's body while maintaining the distal end of the guide catheter exchange device in position in the coronary artery; (e) after withdrawing the guide catheter, removing a first sheath in a femoral artery, placing a larger sheath over the guide catheter exchange device into the femoral artery, and positioning a second, larger guide catheter over the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device; and (f) advancing the second, larger guide catheter over the guide catheter exchange device and into the coronary artery, said guide catheter exchange device having a length relative to the guide catheter such that during steps (c) and (d) the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device outside the patient's body is greater than the length of the guide catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and a guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter, said proximal portion being smaller in diameter than the distal portion, said guide catheter exchange device being removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and a guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter, said proximal portion being smaller in diameter than the distal portion, said guide catheter exchange device being removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the proximal portion of the guide catheter exchange device further comprises: a stiffening core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 4 in which the stiffening core of the guide catheter exchange device further comprises: a reinforced core of wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device comprises: a coiled reinforced wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device comprises: an extruded polymer tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the guide catheter exchange device further comprises: an internal stiffener to provide resistance to kinking.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 8 in which the internal stiffener of the guide catheter exchange device extends through the proximal portion and at least partially into the distal portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 8 in which the internal stiffener of the guide catheter exchange device extends through the proximal portion and the distal portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 8 in which the internal stiffener of the guide catheter exchange device is tapered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 8 in which the internal stiffener of the guide catheter exchange device is tapered distally.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the guide catheter exchange device has a length of approximately 200-300 centimeters.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the length of the guide wire lumen is approximately 60-70 centimeters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the distal portion is approximately 0.06 inches in diameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the guide catheter exchange device further comprises: a distal tip located distally of the distal portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 16 in which the distal tip of the guide catheter exchange device is approximately 3-10 centimeters in length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
An intravascular accessory for use in conjunction with a coronary procedure on a patient, said accessory adapted to facilitate the exchange of a first coronary guide catheter for a second coronary guide catheter, the accessory comprising: a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen, the guide wire lumen having a length of 60-70 cm; and a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length sufficiently greater than that of either the first or second coronary guide catheter to allow the complete withdrawal and exchange of the first guide catheter for the second guide catheter while maintaining the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device in the patient, wherein the proximal portion is smaller in diameter than the distal portion that is positioned into the coronary artery during use.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
165 words
An intravascular accessory for use in conjunction with a coronary procedure on a patient, said accessory adapted to facilitate the exchange of a first coronary guide catheter for a second coronary guide catheter, the accessory comprising: a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen, the guide wire lumen having a length of 60-70 cm; and a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length sufficiently greater than that of either the first or second coronary guide catheter to allow the complete withdrawal and exchange of the first guide catheter for the second guide catheter while maintaining the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device in the patient, wherein the proximal portion is smaller in diameter than the distal portion that is positioned into the coronary artery during use.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
An intravascular accessory for use in conjunction with a coronary procedure on a patient, said accessory adapted to facilitate the exchange of a first coronary guide catheter for a second coronary guide catheter, the accessory comprising: a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen, the guide wire lumen having a length of 60-70 cm; and a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length sufficiently greater than that of either the first or second coronary guide catheter to allow the complete withdrawal and exchange of the first guide catheter for the second guide catheter while maintaining the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device in the patient, wherein the proximal portion has a diameter of approximately 0.03 inches.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
An intravascular accessory for use in conjunction with a coronary procedure on a patient, said accessory adapted to facilitate the exchange of a first coronary guide catheter for a second coronary guide catheter, the accessory comprising: a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen, the guide wire lumen having a length of 60-70 cm; and a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length sufficiently greater than that of either the first or second coronary guide catheter to allow the complete withdrawal and exchange of the first guide catheter for the second guide catheter while maintaining the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device in the patient, wherein the proximal portion has a diameter of approximately 0.03 inches.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter, wherein said guide catheter exchange device is removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient, and the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device comprises: a single extruded polymer having two longitudinally extending bores.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter, wherein said guide catheter exchange device is removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient, and the distal portion of the guide catheter exchange device comprises: a single extruded polymer having two longitudinally extending bores.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and a guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter; (c) a longitudinally extending slot on an external surface of the guide catheter exchange device, wherein said guide catheter exchange device is removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination, a coronary guide catheter; a coronary guide wire removably and slidably positioned in a lumen of the coronary guide catheter and extending out a distal end thereof; and a guide catheter exchange device comprising: (a) a distal portion comprised of a tubular member defining a guide wire lumen therethrough and having proximal and distal guide lumen openings communicating with the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device; (b) a proximal portion comprised of an elongate member, said proximal portion connected to the distal portion, said proximal and distal portions having a combined length greater than that of the coronary guide catheter; (c) a longitudinally extending slot on an external surface of the guide catheter exchange device, wherein said guide catheter exchange device is removably and slidably positioned in the lumen of the coronary guide catheter with the guide wire removably and slidably positioned in the guide wire lumen of the guide catheter exchange device whereby the guide catheter can be exchanged for another guide catheter while the guide wire is maintained in position in a coronary artery of a patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 21, wherein: at least a portion of the guide wire is located in said slot.