Energizer for vascular guidewire
First Claim
1. An energizer, for use with a guidewire having a steerable tip under electrical control and a proximal end having positive and negative electrical portions in electrical communication with the steerable tip, comprising:
- a housing;
a jack coupled to the housing for receiving the proximal end of the guidewire;
a link coupled to the housing for communicating with a switch that is modulated by a user to energize the steerable tip; and
a power supply coupled to the housing and in electrical communication with the link for communicating with the switch, and further in communication through the jack with the proximal end of the guidewire.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energizer for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, in one embodiment engages a proximal end of the guidewire and applies energy to be transmitted to a distal portion of the guidewire. A jack or other receptacle accommodates, in a releasably secured fashion, a proximal portion of the guidewire having a diameter that is not substantially larger than, but preferably is equal to or less than, the maximal diameter associated with the guidewire. The jack may be structured so that designated portions of the proximal end of the guidewire will be disposed in selective contact with corresponding portions of the jack in order to permit, for example, an electrical potential to be applied across such portions, thereby energizing an electrically controllable part of the guidewire, such as a steering mechanism. In this manner, the energizer permits rapid engagement and disengagement of a proximal portion of the guidewire. Equipment such as catheters may conveniently be fed coaxially over the proximal portion of the guidewire and up toward the distal end and conveniently exchanged with reduced complexity of, and disturbance to, the guidewire, its environment, and the energizing mechanism.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An energizer, for use with a guidewire having a steerable tip under electrical control and a proximal end having positive and negative electrical portions in electrical communication with the steerable tip, comprising:
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a housing;
a jack coupled to the housing for receiving the proximal end of the guidewire;
a link coupled to the housing for communicating with a switch that is modulated by a user to energize the steerable tip; and
a power supply coupled to the housing and in electrical communication with the link for communicating with the switch, and further in communication through the jack with the proximal end of the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An energizer for use with a guidewire under electrical control, the guidewire having a maximal diameter and a proximal end, the energizer comprising:
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a housing; and
a jack coupled to the housing for intermittently receiving a proximal portion of the guidewire, the jack having a maximal internal diameter substantially equal to or less than the guidewire maximal diameter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification