Abstract: A catheter and guide wire exchange system including a catheter having a guide wire lumen with a guide way extending along the length of a stiffened proximal shaft portion, and a guide member slidably disposed about the proximal shaft for directing a guide wire into or out of the guide way and the guide wire lumen. The guide member may be slid along the proximal shaft portion and the guide wire in zipper-like fashion so that the guide wire is contained within the guide wire lumen distal to the guide member and with the guide wire and catheter being separated proximal of the guide member.

Abstract: An over-the-wire catheter having a guidewire lumen with a guide way extending along a shaft portion, and a slidable instrument disposed about the shaft portion and extending transversely through the guide way for surrounding and selectively gripping a guidewire disposed in the guidewire lumen. The slidable instrument may be operated to control the location of the guidewire within a patient.