Dual guide-wire medical device and method

Methods and apparatus are provided for inserting a medical device into a channel such as a vein or artery. The apparatus comprises first and second guide-wires joined by multiple breakable bonds for initially retaining portions of the guide-wires in substantially fixed mutual relationship, the multiple bonds breaking as the medical device advances along the guide wires. The method comprises inserting the dual guide-wire assembly in the channel with the dual guide-wires initially in fixed relation ship to each other and separating the guide-wires by advancing the medical device along the dual guide-wire assembly sequentially breaking the multiple bonds joining the guide-wires. When the last bond between the wires is broken, the distal tips of the guide-wires are released. The arrangement is especially useful for placing dilatation balloons with (or without) stents in bifurcated blood vessels.