Importance

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Abstract

A peel-away endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography catheter and a method for using the same is provided. An endoscope having a passage therethrough is introduced into the mouth of a patient and is guided through the patent's gastroentral tract until an opening at the distal end of the endoscope is in close proximity with the papilla of vater leading to the common bile and pancreatic ducts. A peel-away ERCP catheter is provided which may be guided through the lumen of the endoscope until the distal tip of the catheter emerges from the opening at the distal end of the endoscope. The distal end of the catheter may be guided through the sphincter of oddi and into the common bile or pancreatic duct. A radiopaque dye may be injected through the catheter, into the duct. Additionally, a guide wire may be guided into the common bile or pancreatic duct through the catheter. Thereafter, the catheter may be easily removed without disturbing the placement of the guide wire by pulling on knobs attached to tabs at the proximal end of the catheter while the proximal end of the guide wire is held in place. The force applied to the catheter tabs causes the catheter to split longitudinally along two longitudinal grooves cut into the body of the catheter. Thus, the catheter peels-away from the guide wire without displacing the guide wire. Simultaneously, the pulling force on the tabs splits the catheter away from the guide wire while pulling the catheter up the guide wire. Additionally, a biliary stent can be pushed into the duct using a second peel-away catheter which may then be removed in accordance with the method of the present invention.

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First Claim