ARTICULATING GUIDEWIRE FOR EMBOLIC PROTECTION AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20070021775A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Vrba, Anthony, Eskuri, Alan
• Application Number:
  US11/466,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20070021775A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09025 with sliding mandrils

Abstract

An intravascular guidewire having an articulating distal section for improved maneuverability beyond a lesion or other protrusion within a body lumen. An elongated core wire having an actuatable stop disposed thereon is adapted to have a reduced profile in a first position, and an enlarged profile in a second position. The actuatable stop can be adapted to expand by any number of means, including a spring coil, a polymeric tube or a mesh sleeve. In one particular embodiment, the actuatable stop comprises a distal section of a tubular member having a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings adapted to permit a plurality of struts disposed therebetween to expand in an outward direction when compressed axially.

Claims

1. An articulating guidewire, comprising:

an elongated core wire having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;

an actuatable stop comprising a polymeric tube disposed at the distal end of said core wire, said actuatable stop moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;

an actuator coupled to the stop, said actuator moveable between a first position and a second position to move the stop between the collapsed position and the expanded position; and

a filter disposed on the core wire.

2. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein said polymeric tube is accordion-shaped.

3. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the distal section of said tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed openings adapted to permit a plurality of struts disposed therebetween to expand in an outward direction.

4. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of said tubular member is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core wire.

5. The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of said tubular member is larger than the outer diameter of the core wire.

6. The guidewire of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to prevent relative motion between the actuatable stop and the core wire.

7. The guidewire of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire.

8. The guidewire of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire corresponding in size and shape to a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the actuatable stop.

9. The guidewire of claim 6, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking hub disposed about a proximal portion of the core wire.

10. An articulating guidewire, comprising:

an elongated core wire having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end;

an actuatable stop comprising a spring coil disposed at the distal end of said core wire, said actuatable stop moveable between a collapsed position and an expanded position;

an actuator disposable about the core wire, said actuator having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a filter disposed on the core wire.

11. The guidewire of claim 10, wherein the spring coil is helically disposed about the core wire.

12. The guidewire of claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of the actuator is substantially similar to the outer diameter of the core wire.

13. The guidewire of claim 10, wherein the inner diameter of the actuator is larger than the outer diameter of the core wire.

14. The guidewire of claim 10, further comprising a locking mechanism adapted to prevent proximal motion of the actuator relative to the core wire.

15. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire.

16. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises an enlarged outer diameter portion disposed on the core wire corresponding in size and shape to a reduced inner diameter portion disposed on the actuator.

17. The guidewire of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking hub disposed about a proximal portion of the core wire.