Single operator exchange biliary catheter

A method of positioning a biliary catheter including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, within a patient's alimentary canal comprising the steps of:

• providing a guidewire lumen within the catheter, extending from a location proximal the distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft;
• providing a port through a sidewall of the shaft into the guidewire lumen, the port located distal of the proximal end of the shaft;
• and
• moving a guidewire through the port, relative to the shaft.

A method of exchanging a catheter during a biliary endoscopic procedure comprising the steps of:

• passing an endoscope having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, through a patient's mouth into the alimentary canal;
• positioning a distal end of the endoscope proximate the opening into the biliary tree;
• passing a guidewire through the lumen of the endoscope;
• providing a catheter having a guidewire lumen carried by the shaft extending from a location proximal a distal end of the shaft to a location proximate the distal end of the shaft, including a first opening into the guidewire lumen located distal the proximal end of the shaft;
• and
• advancing the catheter over the guidewire, wherein a proximal end of the guidewire exits the first opening.