Guidewire Fixation

Abstract

Percutaneous devices and methods for releasably engaging a guidewire against an inner surface of a tubular member are disclosed. A percutaneous device can include a tube member, a push member, and a fixation mechanism such as a fixation balloon. The tube member can define a lumen sized and shaped to receive one or more interventional medical devices therethrough and can have an outer diameter smaller than a lumen of a guide catheter. The push member can extend proximal of the tube member for slidably positioning a distal end portion of the tube member within and beyond a distal end of the guide catheter. The push member can include a lumen in fluid communication with an interior of the fixation balloon, for example, for delivering inflation fluid to, or removing fluid from, the balloon. The fixation balloon can be positioned can be positioned and configured to engage a guidewire against the inner surface of the guide catheter or of the tube member when inflated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.