Guidewire feeder
First Claim
1. Apparatus for use with a guidewire, the apparatus comprising a guidewire feeder, which comprises:
- a first housing, shaped to define a first channel through which the guidewire is slidable;
a second housing, shaped to define a second channel through which the guidewire is slidable in at least a first direction toward the first housing;
a guidewire-engaging element, which is disposed within the second housing, and which is configured to inhibit the guidewire from sliding through the second channel in a second direction away from the first housing, and to allow the guidewire to slide through the second channel in the first direction toward the first housing; and
a tubular member, which is shaped to define a lumen through which the guidewire is slidable, is coupled to the second housings and is slidably coupled to the first housing, such that the second housing is slidable in directions toward and away from the first housing,wherein the guidewire feeder is arranged such that oscillation of the second housing toward and away from the first housing advances the guidewire in the first direction through the first channel of the first housing, by;
movement of the second housing toward the first housing sliding a portion of the guidewire that is disposed within the tubular member in the first direction, with the tubular member, into the first housing, andmovement of the second housing away from the first housing sliding the tubular member in the second direction out of the first housing and over the portion of the guidewire, while the guidewire remains stationary with respect to the first housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for use with a guidewire is provided, the apparatus including (1) a first housing, shaped to define a first channel through which the guidewire is slidable; (2) a second housing, shaped to define a second channel through which the guidewire is slidable in at least a first direction toward the first housing; (3) a guidewire-engaging element, disposed within the second housing, and configured to inhibit the guidewire from sliding through the second channel in a second direction away from the first housing; and (4) a tubular member, (a) shaped to define a lumen therethrough, through which the guidewire is slidable, and (b) coupled to the second housing and slidably coupled to the first housing. Other embodiments are also described.
680 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for use with a guidewire, the apparatus comprising a guidewire feeder, which comprises:
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a first housing, shaped to define a first channel through which the guidewire is slidable; a second housing, shaped to define a second channel through which the guidewire is slidable in at least a first direction toward the first housing; a guidewire-engaging element, which is disposed within the second housing, and which is configured to inhibit the guidewire from sliding through the second channel in a second direction away from the first housing, and to allow the guidewire to slide through the second channel in the first direction toward the first housing; and a tubular member, which is shaped to define a lumen through which the guidewire is slidable, is coupled to the second housings and is slidably coupled to the first housing, such that the second housing is slidable in directions toward and away from the first housing, wherein the guidewire feeder is arranged such that oscillation of the second housing toward and away from the first housing advances the guidewire in the first direction through the first channel of the first housing, by; movement of the second housing toward the first housing sliding a portion of the guidewire that is disposed within the tubular member in the first direction, with the tubular member, into the first housing, and movement of the second housing away from the first housing sliding the tubular member in the second direction out of the first housing and over the portion of the guidewire, while the guidewire remains stationary with respect to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for use with a guidewire, the method comprising:
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providing a guidewire feeder including; a first housing, shaped to define a first channel through which the guidewire is slidable; a second housing, shaped to define a second channel through which the guidewire is slidable in at least a first direction toward the first housing; a guidewire-engaging element, which is disposed within the second housing, and which is configured to inhibit the guidewire from sliding through the second channel in a second direction away from the first housing, and to allow the guidewire to slide through the second channel in the first direction toward the first housing; and a tubular member, which is shaped to define a lumen through which the guidewire is slidable, is coupled to the second housing, and is slidably coupled to the first housing, such that the second housing is slidable in directions toward and away from the first housing; and advancing the guidewire in the first direction through the first channel of the first housing by oscillating the second housing toward and away from the first housing by; sliding a portion of the guidewire that is disposed within the tubular member in the first direction through the first housing by sliding the tubular member into the first housing, by moving the second housing toward the first housing; and sliding the tubular member in the second direction out of the first housing and over the portion of the guidewire by moving the second housing away from the first housing, while the guidewire remains stationary with respect to the first housing. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification