Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for exchanging a guide wire and for allowing blood perfusion through a body vessel in a procedure in which a guide wire is positioned in a body vessel with a proximal end of the guide wire extending out of the body and an intravascular device is positioned in the body vessel by passing a distal portion of the intravascular device over the guide wire while a proximal portion of the intravascular device is adjacent to the guide wire in the body vessel. A guide wire sheath is positioned over the guide wire so that a distal end of the sheath extends over the guide wire and into a lumen in the distal portion of the intravascular device. In another aspect, the guide wire can be withdrawn so that a distal end of the guide wire is located proximally of one or more openings in communicating with a lumen of the guide wire sheath so that blood can perfuse through the lumen of the guide wire sheath through the one or more openings and a distal opening communicating with the guide wire sheath lumen located distally of the one or more openings.

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First Claim