Guide wire exchange catheter system

A guide wire exchange system comprising at least two guide wires and an exchange catheter comprising a tubular main body segment having a lumen running therethrough, and a first and second segment located near the distal end of the exchange catheter, each of the segments forming a lumen for the passage of a guide wire therethrough, wherein said first guide wire is directed through said first segment, and said second guide wire is directed into said second segment, said exchange catheter further comprising at least one reversible securement mechanism comprising a securement element located at or near said distal end of said exchange catheter, said securement element arranged to reversibly and releasably secure said second guide wire in said second segment.

A catheter system for positioning a second guide wire adjacent to a first guide wire, said first guide wire located within a lumen in a living being, said catheter system comprising:

• an exchange catheter having at least first and second lumen segments positioned toward a distal end of said exchange catheter, and a reversible securement mechanism arranged to be reversibly engaged and disengaged, and while in an engaged position said securement mechanism releasably holds said second guide wire in a fixed position relative to a portion of said exchange catheter, said releasably holding occurring at or near said distal end of said exchange catheter, and wherein said first lumen segment is slidably arranged over said first guide wire to guide said catheter system along said first guide wire, and further wherein said first and second lumen segments are parallel to one another and do not share a common axis.