Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for controlling longitudinal movement of a tube relative to a shaft slidably disposed within the tube, especially in the catheterization of a patient. An operative segment on the shaft cooperates with an ancillary tool to create a coupling force field between the shaft and the tool. The tube can then be moved over the shaft while the coupling force field operates through the tube to restrict the movement of the shaft. In preferred embodiment, the shaft is a guide wire and the tube is a catheter with a lumen for slidably receiving the guide wire, while the coupling force field is created magnetically. In one embodiment, the operative segment is borne on a short guide wire extension which is selectively securable to a standard guide wire.

Abstract: An intravascular device having an elongated flexible tube sized for insertion into a coronary vessel beyond a distal end of a guide catheter. In use, the flexible tube has its proximal end within a guide catheter and has its distal end extending to a treatment site in a coronary artery. The device also including a push rod attached to a proximal end of the flexible tube to facilitate placement of the flexible tube within the coronary artery requiring treatment. In certain applications, the intravascular device is used as a drug (or other fluid) delivery device or as an aspiration device. In other applications, the intravascular device is used as a guiding means for placement of an angioplasty device, such as a guide wire or a balloon catheter. Additionally, an attachment tube may be provided which is designed to couple with a proximal end of the flexible tube to provide a continuous conduit for aspiration or fluid delivery to a treatment site in a coronary artery.

Abstract: A method of molding the main body of a Y-adapter that has a straight passageway extending from one extremity to the other and an arcuate passageway that is generated along the arc of a circle. Core pins for the straight and arcuate passageways are placed in a mold such that they merges together to form a single, smooth lumen in the Y-adapter. The arcuate core pin can be withdrawn from the finished Y-adapter as a result of its circular arc.

Abstract: An improved Y-adapter in which the lumen extending through the side arm is formed along the arc of a circle and smoothly merges into the lumen extending through the central arm, such that a catheter or guide wire can be smoothly inserted through the side arm of the Y-adapter into the central arm and then twisted and manipulated without distortion.