Inventory sparing catheter systems and methods

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 axial lumen extending continuously through the catheter body from the distal to the proximal end of the catheter body, the first lumen being configured to receive a guidewire and being configured to be selectively closeable;   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 having a second opening formed through an outer wall thereof;   wherein:
 the sheath is movable between at least a first position and a second position such that, in the second position, at least a portion of the second opening of the sheath is approximately aligned with the first opening of the catheter body, and, in the first position, no portion of the second opening of the sheath is aligned with the first opening of the catheter body. 
   
   
   
       2 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is rotatable relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       3 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is axially movable relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       4 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is approximately the same size as the first opening. 
   
   
       5 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening of the sheath is approximately aligned with the first opening of the catheter body when the sheath is in the second position. 
   
   
       6 . 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. 
   
   
       7 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter body further comprises a second opening formed through at least a portion of the catheter body, the second opening being in communication with the first lumen, the catheter system being selectively configurable such that a guidewire can be passed through at least the distal end portion of the first lumen and exit the catheter body at the proximal end of the catheter body or through the first or second opening. 
   
   
       8 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is substantially covered by the sheath when the sheath is in the second position to at least inhibit a guidewire from passing through the first opening. 
   
   
       9 . 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. 
   
   
       10 . 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. 
   
   
       11 . The catheter system of  claim 10 , wherein the mandrel extends through at least a portion of an inflation lumen of the catheter body. 
   
   
       12 . The catheter system of  claim 10 , wherein the mandrel is axially removable from the catheter body. 
   
   
       13 . The catheter system of  claim 10 , wherein the mandrel comprises an opening axially through at least a portion thereof. 
   
   
       14 . 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 divert a guidewire passing through a distal end of the first lumen through the first opening of the catheter body. 
   
   
       15 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the mandrel comprises an angled surface at a distal end thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising indexing features to maintain the axial or radial alignment of the sheath relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       17 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising detents, depressions, or protrusions configured to selectively bias the sheath in one of a plurality of axial or radial positions relative to the catheter body. 
   
   
       18 . A catheter system comprising:
 a catheter body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen axially formed through at least a portion of the catheter body, the first lumen being configured to receive a guidewire; and   a diverter that can be positioned at any of a plurality of positions along the length of the catheter body;   wherein the diverter is configured such that at least a portion of the diverter passes through the catheter body into the first lumen such that an opening formed in the diverter communicates with the first lumen, whereby a guidewire that is advanced through the first lumen can be advanced through the opening formed in the diverter.   
   
   
       19 . The catheter system  claim 18 , wherein the first lumen is substantially sealed along the length thereof. 
   
   
       20 . A method of using a catheter, comprising:
 advancing a catheter body over a guidewire positioned within a bodily vessel so that the guidewire passes at least partially through a first lumen formed axially through at least a portion of the catheter body and through a first opening of the catheter body; wherein the first lumen extends continuously through the catheter body from a distal to a proximal end of the catheter body;   closing a portion of the first lumen proximal to the first opening of the catheter body so that the guidewire is prevented from advancing through the first lumen proximal of the first opening of the catheter body;   moving a sheath positioned about the catheter body from a first position, wherein the sheath substantially covers the first opening, to a second position, wherein at least a portion of the first opening is not covered by the sheath; and   diverting the guidewire so that, when the sheath is in the second position, the guidewire passes through the first opening formed in the catheter body as the catheter is advanced over the guidewire.   
   
   
       21 . The method of using a catheter of  claim 20 , wherein moving a sheath positioned about the catheter body from a first position to a second position comprises moving the sheath in an axial direction relative to the catheter body from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       22 . The method of using a catheter of  claim 20 , wherein moving a sheath positioned about the catheter body from a first position to a second position comprises rotating the sheath relative to the catheter body from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       23 . The method of using a catheter of  claim 20 , wherein the sheath comprises a second opening alignable with the first opening formed in the catheter body when the sheath is in the second position. 
   
   
       24 . The method of using a catheter of  claim 23 , further comprising rotating the sheath relative to the catheter body from the first position to the second position. 
   
   
       25 . The method of using a catheter of  claim 23 , further comprising diverting the guidewire through the second opening formed in the sheath as the catheter is advanced over the guidewire. 
   
   
       26 . A method of using a catheter, comprising:
 advancing a distal portion of a catheter body over a guidewire positioned within a bodily vessel so that the guidewire passes through a lumen formed axially in the catheter body; and   diverting the guidewire through a side-wall opening formed in the catheter body, the side-wall opening being in communication with the lumen;   advancing the distal portion of the catheter into an introducer sheath positioned in a patient's body to a treatment site while maintaining a proximal portion of the catheter body at least up the side-wall opening proximal to the introducer sheath.