Importance

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Abstract

A support system for a guiding catheter used in coronary treatment such as percutaneous transluminum coronary angioplasty (PTCA) includes a main lumen, a secondary lumen and a linearly incompressible flexible elongate element slidable within the secondary lumen. The main and secondary lumen are connected integrally together throughout the proximal portion of the length of the catheter but are separated throughout a distal portion, the elongate element, which may be a wire or metal strip, being anchored at the distal end of the catheter. The proximal end of the catheter includes operating means to exert endwise force on the elongate element and to cause the separated portion of the secondary lumen to move away from the main lumen so as to brace the catheter against opposed walls of a vessel to retain it in position. When the catheter has been braced against the vessel walls, a PTCA procedure can be carried out.

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First Claim