Inventory sparing catheter system

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a catheter system having a changeable or adjustable working length. The catheter system can comprise a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axial lumen configured to receive a guidewire formed through at least a portion of the catheter body. A first opening can be formed through a portion of the catheter body and be in communication with the first lumen. The sheath can be rotatable, axially movable, or otherwise changeable from at least a first position to a second position, wherein the sheath can substantially cover the first opening in the catheter body in the first position, and can substantially expose the first opening in the catheter body in the second position.

1 . A catheter system comprising:
 a catheter body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen formed axially through at least a portion of the catheter body, the first lumen being configured to receive a guidewire;   a first opening formed through at least a portion of the catheter body, the first opening being in communication with the first lumen; and   a sheath supported by the catheter body, the sheath being slidable relative to the catheter body;   wherein:
 the sheath is movable between at least a first position and a second position; 
 in the first position, the first opening is substantially covered by the sheath; 
 in the second position, the first opening is substantially uncovered; and 
 when the sheath is in the second position, the catheter system is configured to direct a guidewire being advanced through the first lumen to pass through the first opening. 
   
   
   
       2 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is formed through a side wall of the catheter body. 
   
   
       3 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is rotatable relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       4 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       5 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second opening formed in the sheath. 
   
   
       6 . The catheter system of  claim 5 , wherein the second opening formed in the sheath is approximately aligned with the first opening formed in the catheter body when the sheath is in the second position. 
   
   
       7 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body further comprises a second lumen formed axially through at least a portion of the catheter body configured to communicate with an expandable balloon supported at a distal end of the catheter body. 
   
   
       8 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body comprises a lumen configured to receive a mandrel to increase the stiffness of the catheter body adjacent to the first opening. 
   
   
       9 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mandrel that is extendable through at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the first opening to increase the stiffness of the catheter body adjacent to the first opening. 
   
   
       10 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mandrel that is advanceable through at least a portion of the first lumen, the mandrel being configured to direct a guidewire in the first lumen to pass through the first opening. 
   
   
       11 . The catheter system of  claim 10 , wherein the mandrel comprises an angled surface at a distal end thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a slider mechanism configured to selectively position the sheath in one of a plurality of axial or radial positions relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       13 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of detents, depressions, and protrusions to selectively bias the sheath in one of a plurality of axial or radial positions relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       14 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the catheter body defines an inflection point adjacent to the first opening, the inflection point being the approximate point wherein the catheter body defines a bend having an angle;   the catheter body is movable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; and   the angle is greater in the first configuration than in the second configuration.   
   
   
       15 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the angle is substantially greater in the first configuration than in the second configuration. 
   
   
       16 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the angle in the first configuration is approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       17 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the angle in the first configuration is from approximately 5 degrees to approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       18 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the angle in the second configuration is from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 5 degrees. 
   
   
       19 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter body is biased toward the first configuration. 
   
   
       20 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , comprising a mandrel supported within the catheter body, the mandrel configured to bias the catheter body toward the first configuration. 
   
   
       21 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the catheter body is heat set in the first configuration. 
   
   
       22 .- 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . A catheter system comprising:
 a catheter body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen formed axially through at least a portion of the catheter body, the first lumen being configured to receive a guidewire; and   a first opening formed through at least a portion of the catheter body, the first opening being in communication with the first lumen;   wherein:
 the catheter body defines an inflection point adjacent to the first opening, the inflection point being the approximate location wherein the catheter body defines a bend having an angle; 
 the catheter body is movable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; and 
 the angle is greater in the first configuration than in the second configuration. 
   
   
   
       40 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the angle is substantially greater in the first configuration than in the second configuration. 
   
   
       41 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the angle in the first configuration is approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       42 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the angle in the first configuration is from approximately 10 degrees to approximately 30 degrees. 
   
   
       43 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the angle in the second configuration is approximately 0 degrees. 
   
   
       44 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the angle in the second configuration is from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 5 degrees. 
   
   
       45 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the catheter body is biased toward the first configuration. 
   
   
       46 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , comprising a mandrel supported within the catheter body, the mandrel configured to bias the catheter body toward the first configuration. 
   
   
       47 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the catheter body is heat set in the first configuration. 
   
   
       48 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , further comprising a sheath supported by the catheter body, the sheath being movable between at least a first position and a second position such that the sheath substantially covers the first opening in the first position and substantially exposes the first opening in the second position. 
   
   
       49 . The catheter system of  claim 48 , wherein the catheter system is configured such that moving the sheath from the first to the second position moves the catheter body from the first to the second configuration. 
   
   
       50 . The catheter system of  claim 48 , further comprising a housing supported about a proximal portion of the catheter body, the housing being in communication with the sheath and being configured to move the sheath between the first and second positions. 
   
   
       51 . The catheter system of  claim 50 , wherein the housing comprises a release mechanism configured to selectively secure the sheath in the first or second position. 
   
   
       52 . The catheter system of  claim 51 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a spring member. 
   
   
       53 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , wherein the catheter body further comprises a second lumen formed axially through at least a portion of the catheter body configured to communicate with an expandable balloon supported at a distal end of the catheter body. 
   
   
       54 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , further comprising a mandrel that is extendable through at least a portion of the catheter adjacent to the first opening to increase the stiffness of the catheter body adjacent to the first opening. 
   
   
       55 . The catheter system of  claim 54 , wherein the mandrel extends through at least a portion of an inflation lumen of the catheter body. 
   
   
       56 . The catheter system of  claim 39 , further comprising detents, depressions, or protrusions configured to selectively bias the sheath in one of a plurality of positions relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       57 .- 77 . (canceled)