| abstract |
An intravascular system includes an introducer sheath (104) having a fixed diameter lumen, a first medical device (102), and a catheter (106) having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the first medical device. When the catheter is positioned in the introducer sheath, an annular gap forms between the outer circumference of the catheter and the inner circumference of the lumen. The catheter is designed to take on different size configurations (y,z) so that the sizes of the catheter and the annular gap are variable. The variability in the size of the catheter allows another medical device to fit through the annular gap in the lumen. The catheter can change configuration passively as the second medical device is passed adjacently, or through an active mechanism under the control of a physician. |