Magnetic Guide Wires
Inventors: Brian Joseph Frankowski: William J. Federspiel: Joseph F. Golob Jr.: Brack G. Hattler Jr.
Patent Number: PCT/US2004/014272
Abstract
A system for placement of a medical device in a body passage including a first and second guidewire, each configured with magnets on their distal ends. The guidewires are inserted through different access sites of a body passage and blindly connected using the magnets. The first guidewire is inserted into a first insertion site and the second guidewire is inserted into a second insertion site. Once the distal ends of the guidewires are attached, the second guidewire can then be removed from the first insertion site, detached from the first guidewire and attached to a medical device. The distal end of the second guidewire can then be pulled through the second insertion site to guide the medical device into a desired location in the body passage.