Guide wire extension

A guide wire system for guiding an elongate, flexible catheter having a guide wire lumen through a lumen in the body of a patient comprising:

• a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• tubular connector means for connection of the proximal end of the guidewire with the distal end of the extension wire, thereby to extend the effective length of the guide wire;
• said guide wire being rounded in cross-section;
• said connector means being round in cross-section and having a diameter no greater than that of the guide wire thereby to enable the catheter to be passed over the wires and the connector means when the wires are connected by the connector means;
• whereby a catheter placed in a patient and having the guide wire extending therethrough may be exchanged for another catheter by connecting the proximal end of the guide wire with the distal end of the extension wire, then removing the catheter over the connected wires and then advancing another catheter onto and along the wires without requiring removal of substantial change of position of the guide wire.

A guide wire and catheter system comprising:

• an elongate flexible catheter having a guide wire lumen;
• a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end and being receivable in the guide wire lumen of the catheter, the guide wire being longer than the catheter;
• an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• tubular connector means for connection of the proximal end of the guide wire with the distal end of the extension wire thereby to extend the effective length of the guide wire;
• said tubular connector means being constructed and arranged to be received within the catheter lumen and to enable the catheter to be passed over the wires and the connector means when the wires are connected by the connector means;
• whereby a catheter placed in a patient and having the guide wire extending therethrough may be exchanged for another catheter by connecting the proximal end of the guide wire with the distal end of the extension wire, then removing the catheter over the connected wires and then advancing another catheter onto and along the wires without requiring removal of substantial change of position of the guide wire.

In a guide wire system for guiding an elongate, flexible catheter having a guide wire lumen through a lumen in the body of the patient, said system having a guide wire having proximal and distal ends, the improvement comprising:

• an extension wire having a proximal end and a distal end;
• connector means on at least one of said wires for connecting the proximal end of the guide wire with the distal end of the extension wire thereby to extend the effective length of the guide wire;
• said connector means being constructed and arranged to be received within the catheter lumen and to have a low profile in which its cross-sectional dimensions are substantially the same as those of the wires to enable the catheter to be passed over the wires and the connector means when the wires are connected by the connector means;
• whereby a catheter placed in a patient and having the guide wire extending therethrough may be exchanged for another catheter by connecting the proximal end of the guide wire with the distal end of the extension wire, then removing the catheter over the connected wires and then advancing another catheter onto and along the wires without requiring removal or substantial change of position of the guide wire.