Guidewire with flexible tip

• US 20050131316A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Flagle, Jacob A., Osborne, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US10/736,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20050131316A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0081 Soft tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09166 having radio-opaque features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A guidewire with a flexible tip is provided. The flexible tip comprises a portion of a coating that axially extends beyond a distal end of an elongate member of the guidewire. The length of the flexible tip can be defined in relation to a diameter of the elongate member of the guidewire. Also, the length of the flexible tip can be defined in relation to a length of a distal tip portion of the elongate member of the guidewire. The flexible tip may include agents that facilitate visualization, such as an opacifying agent in the coating and/or a radiopaque marker disposed in the flexible tip.

Claims

1. A guidewire, comprising:

an elongate member comprising a proximal end, a main body having a first diameter, a distal end having a second diameter, and a taper portion disposed between the main body and distal end and defining a taper between the first and second diameters; and

a coating disposed on the distal end and comprising a flexible tip having a length axially extending beyond the distal end, the ratio of the length to the first diameter being greater than 3;

1.

2. The guidewire of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker disposed in the flexible tip.

3. The guidewire of claim 2, wherein a portion of the coating is disposed between the distal end of the elongate member and the radiopaque marker.

4. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the flexible tip comprises radiopaque material.

5. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises radiopaque material.

6. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the coating is disposed on at least a portion of the taper portion.

7. The guidewire of claim 6, wherein the coating is disposed on at least a portion of the main body.

8. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises one of stainless steel and nitinol.

9. The guidewire of claim 1, further comprising a lubricious coating disposed on at least a portion of the main body.

10. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 10:

1 and 500;

1.

11. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 10:

1 and 300;

1.

12. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 12:

1 and 250;

1.

13. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the length of the flexible tip is greater than 3 mm.

14. A guidewire, comprising:

an elongate member comprising a proximal end, a main body having a first diameter, a distal tip having a first length and a second diameter, and a taper portion disposed between the main body and distal tip and defining a taper between the first and second diameters;

a coating disposed on the distal tip and comprising a flexible tip having a second length axially extending beyond the distal tip, the second length being equal to or greater than the first length.

15. The guidewire of claim 14, further comprising a radiopaque marker disposed in the flexible tip.

16. The guidewire of claim 15, wherein a portion of the coating is disposed between the distal end and the radiopaque marker.

17. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the flexible tip comprises radiopaque material.

18. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the coating comprises radiopaque material.

19. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the coating is disposed on at least a portion of the taper portion.

20. The guidewire of claim 19, wherein the coating is disposed on at least a portion of the main body.

21. A guidewire, comprising:

an elongate member comprising a proximal end, a main body having a first diameter, a distal tip having a second diameter, and a taper portion disposed between the main body and distal tip and defining a taper between the first and second diameters;

a polymer coating disposed on the distal tip and at least a portion of the taper portion, the polymer coating comprising a flexible tip having a length axially extending beyond the distal tip, the ratio of the length to the first diameter being greater than 3;

1;

a radiopaque marker disposed in the flexible tip and spaced from the distal tip of the elongate member; and

a lubricious coating disposed on at least a portion of the main body.

22. The guidewire of claim 21, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 10:

1 and 500;

1

23. The guidewire of claim 21, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 10:

1 and 300;

1.

24. The guidewire of claim 21, wherein the ratio of the length of the flexible tip to the first diameter is between 12:

1 and 250;

1.

25. The guidewire of claim 21, wherein the length of the flexible tip is greater than 3 mm.

26. A guidewire, comprising:

an elongate member comprising proximal and distal ends; and

a coating disposed on the distal end of the elongate member, the coating comprising a flexible tip extending beyond the distal end and a solid member spaced from the distal end.

27. The guidewire according to claim 26, wherein the solid member comprises a radiopaque marker.

28. The guidewire according to claim 26, wherein a portion of the coating is disposed between the distal end of the elongate member and the solid member.