Method and apparatus for reducing exposure to an imaging beam

An apparatus for reducing exposure to an imaging beam comprising:

• a guiding catheter having a distal tip for insertion to a target area and a proximal tip;
• an adapter releasably connectable to said guiding catheter, said adapter having a proximal opening at a first end and a connection means at the opposite end, said connection means for connection to said guiding catheter's proximal tip, said adapter being made from a clear material and including a gauge;
• a first microcatheter for insertion into said proximal opening and through said guiding catheter, said first microcatheter having a distal tip that includes a device for treating a condition corresponding to said target area when said device exits said guiding catheter's distal tip;
• said first microcatheter further including a graduation located towards a proximal end of said first microcatheter, such that when said graduation is lined-up with said gauge said distal tip of said microcatheter is at a predefined distance from exiting said guiding catheter's distal tip.

A method of inserting a microcatheter into a patient comprising:

• inserting a guiding catheter into an incision in a patient's skin and passing said guiding catheter through one or more blood vessels until a distal tip of said guiding catheter reaches a target area within said patient;
• and,
• inserting a microcatheter into a proximal opening of said guiding catheter until a locating means located on one of said microcatheter and said guiding catheter indicates that a distal tip of said microcather is at a predetermined distance from exiting a distal tip of said guiding catheter;
• exposing said target area to an imaging beam to determine a location of said distal tip of said microcatheter in relation to said target area;
• directing said distal tip of said microcatheter towards said target area using said imaging beam for guidance;
• and,
• repeating, as necessary, said exposing step and said directing step until said distal tip of said microcatheter is in a desired location in relation to said target area.