Rapid exchange assembly

A method for removing a thrombus from a body vessel, comprising:

• providing a rapid exchange assembly, said rapid exchange assembly, comprising:
• an introducer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending therein;
• a dilator receivable within the lumen of the introducer sheath, the dilator having a proximal end, an open distal end and a lumen extending therein, wherein a distal portion of the dilator extends distally beyond the distal end of said introducer sheath when the dilator is received in the lumen of the introducer sheath, the dilator having an opening through a wall in the dilator distal portion;
• and a wire guide having a proximal end and a distal end, said wire guide having a length at least as long as a length of said introducer sheath, and having a diameter such that the wire guide is receivable through said open distal end of said dilator;
• forming an opening in said body vessel;
• inserting the distal end of said wire guide into said body vessel opening, and advancing said wire guide distal end in said vessel until it substantially reaches said thrombus;
• inserting the proximal end of the wire guide through the open distal end of the dilator, and passing the proximal end of said wire guide through a portion of said dilator lumen such that said proximal end of said wire guide exits said dilator through said opening;
• advancing said rapid exchange assembly over the wire guide substantially to an area of said thrombus;
• disengaging the wire guide and the dilator by effecting relative movement therebetween until the distal end of said wire guide exits said dilator opening;
• withdrawing said dilator in the proximal direction from the lumen of said introducer sheath;
• and
• withdrawing said thrombus through said introducer sheath lumen.