Catheter incorporating a guidewire exit ramp

An elongate medical device, comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a laterally accessible guidewire lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the guidewire lumen accessible through an opening in the elongate shaft;
• and
• a ramp member disposed over and contacting the elongate shaft, the ramp member including a proximal portion, a generally tubular distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion, and a flap extending distally from the proximal portion and extending from an outer surface of the elongate shaft through the opening and into the guidewire lumen such that a guidewire backloaded into the guidewire lumen will be forced out of the guidewire lumen through the opening by the flap;
• wherein the flap is flexible such that, when the inclined surface is disposed within the guidewire lumen, a guidewire passing from a location proximal of the flap within the guidewire lumen is readily allowed past the flap in the guidewire lumen.