Guide-Wire and Guiding Insert Placement Assembly for Over-the-Wire Catheter Placement and Method of Use

A guiding insert assembly is disclosed that has electromagnetic-radiation-elements at each of its ends. A guiding insert having these elements is suitable for use in conjunction with known equipment in the process of locating the distal end of the guiding insert being placed into a patient. The proximally located element of the guiding insert can be used instead of a connector for contact-less coupling of the guiding insert and the location determining equipment, using an inductive coupler, so as to couple signal to and from the guiding insert during the location process. The coupling device preferably includes an insert retention arrangement, a guiding insert identification means and an end of travel detector. The placement of a catheter over the guiding insert either after placement or at the time of placement is possible.