Jagdish C Dhuwalia

53459458, Sep 13, 1994

Dec 25, 1993

8/143546

William S. Hodgson - Cohasset MA
Jagdish C. Dhuwalia - Irvine CA
Russell Pflueger - Laguna Niguel CA

Baxter International Inc. - Deerfield IL

A61B 500

128772

A guidewire having a centrally located core wire about which is mounted a single outer helical coil spring. The core wire is typically longer than the outer helical coil spring, with the helical coil spring and core wire having common distal ends. The spring is brazed at both its distal and proximal end to the core wire. The distal brazing of the core wire and helical coil springs is rounded. A second small radiopaque helical coil spring is fitted in the distal end of the outer helical coil spring and may be brazed to the core wire and outer helical coil spring.

52344070, Aug 10, 1993

Mar 6, 1991

7/665513

Paul S. Teirstein - La Jolla CA
Henry Nita - Lake Forest CA
Jagdish C. Dhuwalia - Irvine CA
Scott Evans - Tustin CA

Baxter International Inc. - Deerfield IL

A61M 3100

604 53

A method and device for removing a first guide catheter and replacing the first guide catheter with a second guide catheter, without disturbing the placement of a flexible guide wire which has previously been inserted through the first guide catheter. The device of the invention comprises an "exchange catheter" which may be advanced over the outer surface of the pre-positioned guide wire to provide support and shielding of the guide wire during the catheter exchange procedure. A guide wire exit aperture formed in the "exchange catheter" permits the guide wire to exit the exchange catheter at a location whereby the operator may hold and manipulate the guide wire to maintain its desired position during the catheter exchange procedure.