A carrier catheter (20) for the introduction and positioning or changing
of one or more guidewires (GW1, GW2, GW3) or interventional devices in a
vessel V in the body of a subject. The catheter (20) includes an
elongated, thin flexible body (22) having a primary lumen (24) and
ancillary lumens (26, 28). Each lumen has an opening at the proximal end
and an opening (30, 32, 34) at the distal end to permit a guidewire or
device to extend through and exit the lumen. The openings at the distal
ends of the lumens are positioned so that the respective guidewires or
interventional devices can exit the lumens at different locations along
the distal end of the catheter. One introduction of the device allows the
deployment of any combination of multiple guidewires and interventional
devices. The catheter can be used for a rapid replacement of an
indwelling catheter or rapid replacement of a dedicated guidewire.