Vascular guidewire system
First Claim
1. A guidewire for use in accessing vascular structures of an organism, the guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:
- a first longitudinal element adapted for conducting electricity along at least a portion of its length, the first longitudinal element having a proximal end and a distal end;
an actuator in electrical communication at a first point with the first longitudinal element near its distal end and undergoing a change in geometry upon a change in its electrical state; and
a second longitudinal element adapted for conducting electricity along at least a portion of its length and in electrical communication with the actuator at a second point of the actuator, the second longitudinal element adapted to serve as a structural element for the guidewire.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vascular guidewire in an embodiment of the present invention, having such features as uniform diameter, low-profile cross section over its length and a distal tip capable of deflection and variable configurations, provides a range of advantages. A variable distal tip of shape-memory alloy deflects into varied configurations when remotely actuated. Such actuation, according to an aspect of the present invention, can be by way of a side entry, easily repositioned, single-handed controller that allows both rotational control of the guidewire and control of the variable tip. In another aspect, a longitudinal element in the guidewire, such as an exterior wire wrap, can provide dual functionality, including structural support as well as an electrical path for use in energizing, and thus deflecting, the distal tip. In yet another aspect, the overall guidewire geometry having constant circumference and low profile, as well as side-access controllability, permits advantageous coaxial mounting and removal of catheters over the proximal guidewire end and facilitates insertion and removal of guidewires through catheters in vivo.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A guidewire for use in accessing vascular structures of an organism, the guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:
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a first longitudinal element adapted for conducting electricity along at least a portion of its length, the first longitudinal element having a proximal end and a distal end;
an actuator in electrical communication at a first point with the first longitudinal element near its distal end and undergoing a change in geometry upon a change in its electrical state; and
a second longitudinal element adapted for conducting electricity along at least a portion of its length and in electrical communication with the actuator at a second point of the actuator, the second longitudinal element adapted to serve as a structural element for the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An actuator in a guidewire for use by a practitioner in a vascular structure of an organism, the guidewire having an electrically conducting core element and an electrically conducting non-core element, the actuator comprising:
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a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the actuator coupled to and forming an electrical flow path with the electrically conducting core and non-core elements, an elongate element comprising a metal that changes geometry, at least in part, upon a change in electrical state. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A guidewire for vascular procedures in an organism, comprising:
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a distal portion at a distal end of the guidewire comprising a variable geometry actuator for steering the guidewire;
a proximal portion at a proximal end comprising an exposed, electrically conductive surface for carrying an electronic control signal; and
a middle portion coupled to the distal portion and to the proximal portion and being of a length sufficient to permit the vascular procedures involving the distal portion in the organism, while the proximal end remains accessible to a user. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A guidewire comprising:
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a body portion having a maximal diameter along its length;
a deflectable distal tip electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion; and
a proximal portion electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion for permitting manipulation of the guidewire and deflection of the distal tip, the proximal portion having a maximal diameter less than or substantially equal to the maximal diameter of the body portion. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A guidewire for use in vasculature comprising:
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a proximal portion at least part of which does not penetrate the vasculature;
a distal portion having a deflectable tip for steering the guidewire in the vasculature; and
a middle portion between the proximal and distal portions and coupled thereto;
wherein the deflectable tip is in electrical communication with the proximal portion; and
wherein the proximal portion is electrically energizable by a user for selective actuation of the deflectable tip, and has a maximal external diameter not substantially greater than any other diameter of the guidewire.
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Specification