Intravascular guide wire and method for manufacture thereof

• US 20030032897A1
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hackett, Steven S., Burmeister, Paul H., Slaikeu, Paul, Cappetta, Richard E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,063,674 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09083 having a coil around a core
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09091 where a sheath surrounds the coil at the distal part
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09133 having specific material compositions or coatings; Materials with specific mechanical behaviours, e.g. stiffness, strength to transmit torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal jacket portion and the proximal end of the distal jacket portion substantially abut each other and are of substantially equal outer diameters so as to form a smooth transition between the proximal and the distal jacket portions. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire with a selectively formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion with a hydrophilic coating and a proximal portion without a hydrophilic coating. According to another aspect, there is provided a guide wire having a formable metallic core and a plastic jacket encasing the formable core. The plastic jacket has a distal portion that is more radiopaque than a proximal portion.

Claims

1. A guidewire comprising an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a first plastic jacket disposed about the proximal portion and a second plastic jacket formed of a flouroelastomer disposed about the distal portion.

2. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the core member comprises nitinol.

3. The guide wire of claim 1, further comprising a coil at the distal portion.

4. The guide wire of claim 3, wherein the second jacket is disposed about the coil.

5. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein a portion of the second jacket is disposed on the first jacket.

6. The guide wire of claim 1, further including a hydrophilic coating disposed on a portion of the first jacket.

7. The guide wire of claim 1, further including a hydrophilic coating disposed on a portion of the second jacket.

8. A method for manufacturing a guide wire comprising:

a) providing an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion;

b) disposing a first plastic jacket about the proximal portion; and

c) disposing a second plastic jacket formed of a flouroelastomer about the distal portion.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the core member comprises nitinol.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising disposing a coil at the distal portion.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second jacket is disposed about the coil.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a portion of the second jacket is disposed on the first jacket.

13. A guidewire comprising an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, means for covering the proximal portion and means for covering the distal portion, wherein the means for covering the proximal portion comprises a plastic and means for covering the distal portion comprises a flouroelastomer.

14. The guidewire of claim 13, further including means for marking with fluoroscopy the distal portion.

15. The guide wire of claim 14, wherein the means for marking with fluoroscopy includes a coil disposed about the distal portion.

16. The guide wire of claim 15, wherein the means for covering the distal portion is disposed about the means for marking with flouroscopy.