Variable Stiffness Guidewire Systems
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A variable-stiffness guidewire comprising:
- an elongated flexible guidewire, the guidewire having a body having a proximal end and a distal end and a tensioning wire coupled to the distal end to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire; and
a tool configured to slide the distal end of the body a desired distance and manipulate the tensioning wire to achieve a desired stiffness, the tool having a deployment mechanism configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the proximal end and the distal end.
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Abstract
A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A variable-stiffness guidewire comprising:
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an elongated flexible guidewire, the guidewire having a body having a proximal end and a distal end and a tensioning wire coupled to the distal end to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire; and a tool configured to slide the distal end of the body a desired distance and manipulate the tensioning wire to achieve a desired stiffness, the tool having a deployment mechanism configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the proximal end and the distal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A variable-stiffness guidewire comprising:
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an outer body having a plurality of coil windings oriented in a first direction, the outer body having a proximal end and a distal end; and a tension element positioned at least partially within the outer body and having first and second opposed ends, the second end coupled to the distal end of the outer body, the tension element including a plurality of coil windings oriented in a second direction, the tension element manipulatable to increase a stiffness in at least a portion of the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making a variable-stiffness guidewire comprising:
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providing a tension element having first and second opposed ends, the tension element including a plurality of coil windings oriented in a first direction; and positioning an outer body having a plurality of coil windings oriented in a second direction around the tension element, the outer body having a proximal end and a distal end, the second end of the tension element coupled to the distal end of the outer body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification