Loop tip wire guide

• US 20060100545A1
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ayala, Juan Carlos, Foushee, Jason D., Hardin, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,758,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00849 with respect to tissue, e.g. hollow organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22042 Details of the tip of the guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A wire guide has first and second portions with first and second diameters, respectively. A resilient loop positions a distal end of the wire guide adjacent another section of the wire guide. A closure member comprising at least one attachment tab maintains the distal end in a fixed position relative to the remainder of the wire guide. A covering may be positioned around one or more parts of the wire guide.

Claims

1. A wire guide capable of manipulation about at least one of a tortuous path and an impediment comprising:

an elongate member having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, the elongate member being bent back upon itself to form a loop having an interior space, and a closure member for maintaining the loop;

wherein the closure member comprises at least one attachment tab.

2. The wire guide of claim 1, further comprising a covering positioned over at least part of the first portion and the closure member.

3. The wire guide of claim 2, wherein the covering is a heat shrinkable polymeric coating.

4. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein a hydrophilic polymer coating lubricates an outer surface of the wire guide during navigation through a body lumen.

5. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the second portion defines the loop.

6. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the second portion defines only a portion of the loop.

7. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the loop has a loop width that is greater than the first diameter.

8. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the elongate member has an intermediate portion between the first portion and the second portion;

and

wherein the intermediate portion defines a taper from the first diameter to the second diameter.

9. The wire guide of claim 8, wherein the loop is formed by disposing a distal end of the second portion adjacent to the intermediate portion.

10. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the loop is formed by disposing a distal end of the second portion adjacent to a proximal portion of the second portion.

11. The wire guide of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned on the elongate member.

12. The wire guide of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned on the closure member.

13. The wire guide of claim 2, further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned on the covering.

14. The wire guide of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned on the loop.

15. The wire guide of claim 1, wherein the attachment tab comprises a first end that is fixedly connected to the second portion and a second end that is wrapped about the elongate member.

16. The wire guide of claim 15, wherein the closure member comprises a pair of attachment tabs.

17. The wire guide of claim 15, wherein the second end of the attachment tab is wrapped about the second portion.

18. The wire guide of claim 15, wherein the attachment tab and the second portion comprises a unitary construction.