High torque, low profile intravascular guidewire system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intravascular guidewire system comprising:
- a) a core wire having an elongated wire body defining a relatively flexible distal portion and a relatively rigid medial portion; and
b) a torquing sheath for positioning the core wire, the torquing sheath having a normally curved, relatively flexible distal portion and an interior lumen dimensioned and configured to accommodate the core wire, wherein the medial portion of the core wire is sufficiently rigid to straighten the normally curved, relatively flexible distal portion of the torquing sheath when the medial portion of the core wire is extending therethrough.
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Abstract
A guidewire system is disclosed for performing a rotational atherectomy procedure, wherein the system includes a core wire having an elongated wire body defining a flexible distal portion and a more rigid medial portion, and a torquing sheath for positioning the core wire, the torquing sheath having a normally curved, relatively flexible distal portion and an interior lumen dimensioned and configured to accommodate the core wire, wherein the medial portion of the core wire is sufficiently rigid to straighten the normally curved distal portion of the torquing sheath when it is extended therethrough.
252 Citations
62 Claims
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1. An intravascular guidewire system comprising:
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a) a core wire having an elongated wire body defining a relatively flexible distal portion and a relatively rigid medial portion; and
b) a torquing sheath for positioning the core wire, the torquing sheath having a normally curved, relatively flexible distal portion and an interior lumen dimensioned and configured to accommodate the core wire, wherein the medial portion of the core wire is sufficiently rigid to straighten the normally curved, relatively flexible distal portion of the torquing sheath when the medial portion of the core wire is extending therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An intravascular guidewire comprising:
a core wire defined by an elongated wire body having opposed proximal and distal ends, a distal portion of the wire body being surrounded by a polymeric sheath, the polymeric sheath extending beyond the distal end of the wire body to define a flexible tubular extension sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An intravascular guidewire comprising:
a core wire defined by an elongated wire body having opposed proximal and distal ends, the wire body formed from a metal alloy having shape memory characteristics, a distal portion of the wire body being heat treated in such a manner so to relieve the shape memory characteristics associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. An intravascular torquing sheath comprising:
an elongated body constructed from plural helically wound layers of coiled wire filament, including an inner helically wound coil layer wound in a first direction and an outer helically wound coil layer wound in a second direction, and having a curved distal portion. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of forming an intravascular guidewire, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an elongated wire body formed from a material having shape memory characteristics; and
b) treating a distal portion of the wire body in a manner so as to relieve the shape memory characteristics associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
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60. A method of forming an intravascular torquing sheath, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an elongated body formed from plural helically wound coil wire layers;
b) positioning a distal portion of the elongated body over a cylindrical forming mandrel having a desired radius of curvature; and
c) delivering an electrical current through the distal portion of the elongated body such that the distal portion assumes the curvature of the forming mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62)
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Specification