Diagnostic sheath for reduced embolic risk

A diagnostic sheath for facilitating atraumatic navigation of guide catheters along vascular pathways, comprising:

• an elongated shaft configured for insertion into a guide catheter, the elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a guide wire lumen extending through the elongated shaft from a proximal end to a distal end for receiving a guide wire;
• at least one dye-injection lumen extending through the elongated shaft from the proximal end and joining the guide wire lumen at a point near the distal end of the shaft to provide fluid communication between the at least one dye-injection lumen and the guide wire lumen;
• and
• the shaft distal end having a dome-shaped or elongated configuration and positioned relative to the guide catheter such that the dome-shaped or elongated distal end extends slightly beyond the distal end of the catheter body.

A diagnostic sheath assembly for facilitating atraumatic navigation of guide catheters along vascular pathways, comprising:

• an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an elongated shaft disposed in the elongated catheter body and extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the catheter body, the elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a guide wire lumen extending through at least a portion of the elongated shaft from a distal port at the distal end of the elongated shaft to a proximal port positioned proximally of the distal end port, the guide wire lumen being configured for receiving a guide wire;
• and
• at least one dye-injection lumen extending through the elongated shaft from the proximal end and joining the guide wire lumen at a point near the distal end of the shaft to provide fluid communication between the at least one dye-injection lumen and the guide wire lumen.