Swivel enhanced guidewire and related methods
First Claim
1. A flexible steerable guidewire for facilitating placement of a medical implement, the guidewire comprising:
- a proximal section, a flexible intermediate section, and a distal steerable section,a plurality of rotatable swivel members longitudinally disposed along the intermediate section and wherein the distal steerable section comprises a distalmost rotatable swivel member, and an elongate directional tip extending distally from the distalmost swivel member;
a stabilization member extending proximally from the distal steerable section, and operably connected to the swivel members such that relative axial movement is prohibited between the swivel member and the stabilization member;
at least one manipulation wire secured to the swivel members and extending proximally to the proximal section;
wherein the at least one manipulation wire is axially movably disposed such that axial movement of the manipulation wire rotates the swivel members, thereby curving the flexible steerable guidewire and deflecting the directional tip; and
an actuator operatively associated with the at least one manipulation wire for applying longitudinally directed, push-pull forces to said at least one manipulation wire for steering the directional tip of the guidewire assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elongate flexible steerable guidewire for facilitating placement of a medical implement is described having a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal steerable section. In embodiments the distal steerable section comprises a plurality of rotatable swivel members, and an elongate directional tip extending distally from the distalmost swivel member. At least one manipulation wire is secured to the swivel members and extends proximally to the proximal section. Axial movement of manipulation wires rotates the swivel members, thereby curving the guidewire and deflecting the directional tip. An actuator or handle may be incorporated with the guidewire. Methods include placing medical implements in target regions. Exemplary applications include guiding and placement of electrical leads in the spine, and placement of angioplasty devices in the vasculature.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A flexible steerable guidewire for facilitating placement of a medical implement, the guidewire comprising:
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a proximal section, a flexible intermediate section, and a distal steerable section, a plurality of rotatable swivel members longitudinally disposed along the intermediate section and wherein the distal steerable section comprises a distalmost rotatable swivel member, and an elongate directional tip extending distally from the distalmost swivel member; a stabilization member extending proximally from the distal steerable section, and operably connected to the swivel members such that relative axial movement is prohibited between the swivel member and the stabilization member; at least one manipulation wire secured to the swivel members and extending proximally to the proximal section; wherein the at least one manipulation wire is axially movably disposed such that axial movement of the manipulation wire rotates the swivel members, thereby curving the flexible steerable guidewire and deflecting the directional tip; and an actuator operatively associated with the at least one manipulation wire for applying longitudinally directed, push-pull forces to said at least one manipulation wire for steering the directional tip of the guidewire assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification