Abstract: Instrumentation for facilitating cutting an opening in a side wall of a body conduit in a patient. A tubular structure defines a lumen and has a sharpened distal end portion configured to cut a section of the body conduit to create the opening. A tissue holding structure is provided which is axially movable within the lumen of the tubular structure. The tissue holding structure includes a piercing portion to permit passage of the tissue holding structure through the body conduit from an entrance side to an exit side thereof. The tissue holding structure also includes a retention member to secure the section of the body conduit to the tissue holding structure during movement of the tissue holding structure to approximate the entrance side of the body conduit with the sharpened distal portion of the tubular structure to enable the sharpened distal structure to cut the body conduit. A connector is also provided for attaching a new length of tubing to the body conduit at the opening made by the cutting.

Abstract: Instrumentation for facilitating cutting an opening in a side wall of a body conduit in a patient. A tubular structure defines a lumen and has a sharpened distal end portion configured to cut a section of the body conduit to create the opening. A tissue holding structure is provided which is axially movable within the lumen of the tubular structure. The tissue holding structure includes a piercing portion to permit passage of the tissue holding structure through the body conduit from an entrance side to an exit side thereof. The tissue holding structure also includes a retention member to secure the section of the body conduit to the tissue holding structure during movement of the tissue holding structure to approximate the entrance side of the body conduit with the sharpened distal portion of the tubular structure to enable the sharpened distal structure to cut the body conduit. A connector is also provided for attaching a new length of tubing to the body conduit at the opening made by the cutting.

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 the 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: Guide catheter exchange device and method of exchanging a guide catheter. The guide catheter exchange device includes a magnetically responsive segment located on a proximal end for maintaining a previously placed guide wire in position across a stenosis, while performing a guide catheter exchange procedure. The guide catheter exchange device allows a guide catheter exchange procedure to be performed by a solo physician.