Apparatus for introduction into the vessel of a patient comprising a guiding
catheter adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and a device adapted
to be inserted into the guiding catheter. The device includes a flexible elongate
member and a sleeve carried by the flexible elongate member near the distal extremity
thereof and extending from a region near the distal extremity to a region spaced
from the distal extremity of the flexible elongate element. The device also includes
a guide wire adapted to extend through the sleeve so that the guide wire extends
rearwardly of the sleeve extending alongside of and exteriorally of the flexible
elongate element into a region near the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate element.
