Rapid exchange catheters for embolic protection devices

1. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen, and

wherein no portion of the elongate member is in the lumen of the first elongate tubular body.

2. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter further comprises a third elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the third elongate tubular body being fixedly attached on the proximal portion of the elongate member, the third elongate tubular body being proximal of the second elongate tubular body.

3. A catheter of claim 2 , wherein the third elongate tubular body is tandem to the second elongate tubular body.

4. A catheter of claim 2 , wherein the catheter is an embolic protection device delivery and recovery catheter.

5. A catheter of claim 2 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 30 cm.

6. A catheter of claim 2 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

7. A catheter of claim 2 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has a soft tip at the proximal end and the diameter of the lumen of the third elongate tubular body is reduced in the soft tip.

8. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the first elongate tubular body has a constant diameter.

9. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the lumen of the second elongate tubular body has a constant diameter.

10. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies have the same constant diameter.

11. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter is an embolic protection device delivery catheter.

12. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate tubular bodies are formed of one or more polymers.

13. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first and second elongate tubular bodies are maintained in rotational alignment with each other by cooperating structures on the elongate member and on the second elongate tubular body.

14. A catheter of claim 13 , wherein the cooperating structures are a portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section and a second lumen in the second elongate tubular body, the second lumen having a partial circular cross-section.

15. A catheter of claim 14 , wherein the portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section extends over 20 to 180 degrees of arc.

16. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a longitudinal length of 100 to 240 cm.

17. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the catheter has a longitudinal length of 175 to 200 cm.

18. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 30 cm.

19. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the second elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 20 cm.

20. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

21. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the second elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

22. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has a soft tip at the distal end.

23. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a finger that passes into a window on the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

24. A catheter of claim 23 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

25. A catheter of claim 23 , wherein the finger is connected to a spring that blocks a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger does not pass into the window on the elongate member.

26. A catheter of claim 25 , wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes into the window on the elongate member.

27. A catheter of claim 25 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other, and wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes through the window on the elongate member and into the window of the second elongate tubular body.

28. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is cylindrical.

29. A catheter of claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the first elongate tubular body is constant.

30. An assembly comprising an embolic protection device and a catheter, the catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen, and

wherein the embolic protection device comprises a filter.

31. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the catheter further comprises a third elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the third elongate tubular body being fixedly attached on the proximal portion of the elongate member, the third elongate tubular body being proximal of the second elongate tubular body.

32. An assembly of claim 31 , wherein the third elongate tubular body is tandem to the second elongate tubular body.

33. An assembly of claim 31 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 30 cm.

34. An assembly of claim 31 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

35. An assembly of claim 31 , wherein the third elongate tubular body has a soft tip at the proximal end and the diameter of the lumen of the third elongate tubular body is reduced in the soft tip.

36. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the lumen of the first elongate tubular body has a constant diameter.

37. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the lumen of the second elongate tubular body has a constant diameter.

38. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies have the same constant diameter.

39. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first and second elongate tubular bodies are formed of one or more polymers.

40. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first and second elongate tubular bodies are maintained in rotational alignment with each other by cooperating structures on the elongate member and on the second elongate tubular body.

41. An assembly of claim 40 , wherein the cooperating structures are a portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section and a second lumen in the second elongate tubular body, the second lumen having a partial circular cross-section.

42. An assembly of claim 41 , wherein the portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section extends over 20 to 180 degrees of arc.

43. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the catheter has a longitudinal length of 100 to 240 cm.

44. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the catheter has a longitudinal length of 175 to 200 cm.

45. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 30 cm.

46. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the second elongate tubular body has a longitudinal length of 5 to 20 cm.

47. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

48. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the second elongate tubular body has an outer diameter of 0.7 to 2 mm.

49. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the first elongate tubular body has a soft tip at the distal end.

50. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a finger that passes into a window on the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

51. An assembly of claim 50 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

52. An assembly of claim 50 , wherein the finger is connected to a spring that blocks a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger does not pass into the window on the elongate member.

53. An assembly of claim 52 , wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes into the window on the elongate member.

54. An assembly of claim 52 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other, and wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes through the window on the elongate member and into the window of the second elongate tubular body.

55. An assembly of claim 30 , wherein an outer diameter of the first elongate tubular body is constant.

56. A method for positioning a catheter within a patient's blood vessel, the method comprising:

providing a catheter, the catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other, and

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen,

providing a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end;

advancing the guide wire to a target site within the patient's blood vessel;

disposing the guide wire proximal end within the lumen of the first elongate tubular body; and

advancing the catheter over the guide wire to the target site.

57. A method of claim 56 , wherein the guide wire is removed from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced to the target site.

58. A method of claim 57 , wherein an embolic protection device comprising a host wire is loaded into the lumen of the second elongate tubular body, the locking mechanism being in the open configuration.

59. A method of claim 58 , wherein the embolic protection device is retained in the lumen of the second elongate tubular body and does not move relative to the second elongate tubular body as a distal end of the embolic protection device is advanced distally a portion of the distance to the target site by advancing the host wire distally.

60. A method of claim 59 , wherein the distal end of the second elongate tubular body is advanced by advancing the host wire distally so that the distal end of the second elongate tubular body is adjacent to the proximal end of the first elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body and the first and second elongate tubular bodies are locked together by the locking mechanism.

61. A method of claim 60 , wherein the distal end of the embolic protection device is advanced distally by advancing the host wire distally and a portion of the embolic protection device exits the distal end of the first elongate tubular body.

62. A method of claim 61 , wherein the catheter is removed from the target site while the embolic protection device remains at the target site.

63. A method of claim 62 , wherein a medical procedure is performed at the target site.

64. A method of claim 63 , wherein the embolic protection device is retrieved by reversing the orientation of the catheter so that the proximal portion of the catheter is closer to the target site than the distal portion of the catheter, and distally advancing the third elongate tubular body over the embolic protection device, and then removing the catheter and the embolic protection device.

65. A method of claim 56 , wherein an embolic protection device comprising a host wire is loaded into the lumen of the second elongate tubular body.

66. A method for positioning a catheter within a patient's blood vessel, the method comprising:

providing a catheter, the catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other, and

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen, and

advancing the catheter to a target site within the patient's blood vessel using a guide catheter.

67. A method of claim 66 , wherein an embolic protection device comprising a host wire is loaded into the lumen of the first elongate tubular body, the locking mechanism being in the open configuration.

68. A method of claim 67 , wherein the embolic protection device is retained in the lumen of the first elongate tubular body as a distal end of the embolic protection device is advanced distally to the target site.

69. A method of claim 68 , wherein the distal end of the embolic protection device is advanced distally by advancing the embolic protection device and a portion of the embolic protection device exits the distal end of the first elongate tubular body.

70. A method of claim 69 , wherein the catheter is removed from the target site while the embolic protection device remains at the target site.

71. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen,

wherein the lumen of the first elongate tubular body has a constant diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the first elongate tubular body is constant.

72. A catheter of claim 71 , wherein the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies have the same constant diameter.

73. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen,

wherein the lumen of the second elongate tubular body has a constant diameter, and wherein an outer diameter of the first elongate tubular body is constant.

74. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen, and

wherein the first and second elongate tubular bodies are maintained in rotational alignment with each other by cooperating structures on the elongate member and on the second elongate tubular body.

75. A catheter of claim 74 , wherein the cooperating structures are a portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section and a second lumen in the second elongate tubular body, the second lumen having a partial circular cross-section.

76. A catheter of claim 75 , wherein the portion of the elongate member having a partial circular cross-section extends over 20 to 180 degrees of arc.

77. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen,

wherein the catheter further comprises a third elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the third elongate tubular body being fixedly attached on the proximal portion of the elongate member, the third elongate tubular body being proximal of the second elongate tubular body, and

wherein the third elongate tubular body has a soft tip at the proximal end and the diameter of the lumen of the third elongate tubular body is reduced in the soft tip.

78. A catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the catheter comprising:

a first elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end;

a second elongate tubular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and

an elongate member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, a proximal end, and a distal end, the elongate member joining the first and second elongate tubular bodies, the first elongate tubular body being disposed distal and tandem to the second elongate tubular body, and the first tubular body being fixedly attached on the distal portion of the elongate member,

the second elongate tubular body being disposed on the elongate member and the second elongate tubular body being slidable along a portion of the elongate member,

wherein the second elongate tubular body is able to be disposed in a first position so that the first and second tubular bodies are not adjacent to each other and able to be disposed in a second position so that the first and second tubular bodies are adjacent to each other,

wherein the catheter comprises a locking mechanism that is adjustable between an open configuration and a locked configuration, and when the locking mechanism is in an open configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are not locked together and when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration the first and second elongate tubular bodies are adjacent to each other and locked together and the lumens of the first and second elongate tubular bodies form one continuous lumen, and

wherein the locking mechanism comprises a finger that passes into a window on the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

79. A catheter of claim 78 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other.

80. A catheter of claim 78 , wherein the finger is connected to a spring that blocks a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger does not pass into the window on the elongate member.

81. A catheter of claim 80 , wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes into the window on the elongate member.

82. A catheter of claim 80 , wherein the second elongate tubular body comprises a window that is centered over the window of the elongate member when the second elongate tubular body and the first elongate tubular body are adjacent to each other, and wherein the spring does not block a portion of the lumen of the second elongate tubular body when the finger passes through the window on the elongate member and into the window of the second elongate tubular body.