Steerable guidewire system

• US 10,682,497 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2017
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microvention Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microvention Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowman, Heath, Tsukashima, Ross
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, Todd J
• Application Number:
  US15/662,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20170319826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12163 having a string of elements connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12054 Details concerning the detachment of the occluding device from the introduction device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12068 detachable by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1209 detachable by electrical current or potential, e.g. electroactive polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09041 Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires

Abstract

A catheter system utilizing one or more sensors is described. The catheter can be used as part of an embolic coil system, guidewire system, or combined embolic coil/guidewire system where the devices interact with the catheter system. A variable detachment embolic coil system and guidewire system are also described.

Claims

1. A steerable catheter system comprising:

a catheter comprising one or more electrical contacts configured to supply electrical current from a power supply;

a guidewire movable within said catheter;

wherein supplying power to said one or more electrical contacts thereby causing said guidewire to bend;

wherein said one or more electrical contacts comprise three electrical contacts; and

,

wherein a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact of the three electrical contacts are configured for use with said guidewire, and said second electrical contact and a third electrical contact of the three electrical contacts are configured for use with an embolic coil detachment system.

2. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply that comprises a control system and user interface configured to activate said power supply;

the power supply being in electrical communication with said electrical contacts.

3. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said guidewire bends in response to an increase in temperature.

4. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said guidewire is a bimetallic composite.

5. The steerable catheter system of claim 4, wherein an entire length of said guidewire comprises a first metal and a second metal.

6. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact are spaced apart from each other from about 0.5 to 3 cm.

7. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein the guidewire comprises a first cross sectional portion comprising a first metal having a first coefficient of expansion, and a second cross sectional portion comprising a second metal having a second coefficient of expansion that is different than said first coefficient of expansion;

and wherein supplying power to said one or more electrical contacts generates heat causing said first metal to expand at a first rate and said second metal to expand at a second rate, thereby causing said guidewire to bend.

8. A steerable catheter system comprising:

a catheter comprising one or more electrical contacts configured to supply electrical current from a power supply;

a guidewire movable within said catheter;

wherein supplying power to said one or more electrical contacts causes said guidewire to bend;

wherein said one or more electrical contacts are configured to bend said guidewire and to detach an embolic coil.

9. A steerable catheter system, comprising:

a catheter; and

a guidewire having an elongate shape and being sized to move through a catheter;

said guidewire having a first cross sectional portion composed of a first metal having a first coefficient of expansion and a second cross sectional portion composed of a second metal having a second coefficient of expansion that is different than said first coefficient of expansion, such that when heated, said first metal to expand at a first rate and said second metal to expand at a second rate, thereby causing said guidewire bends;

said catheter comprising one or more electrical contacts configured to supply electrical current from a power supply;

said guidewire being movable within said catheter;

wherein supplying power to said one or more electrical contacts causes said guidewire to bend;

wherein said one or more electrical contacts are configured to bend said guidewire and to detach an embolic coil.

10. The steerable catheter system of claim 9, wherein said first cross section portion and said second cross sectional portion extend along a distal region of said guidewire.

11. The steerable catheter system of claim 10, wherein said first cross sectional portion and said second cross sectional portion are each a half of an entire cross section of said guidewire.