MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CONTROLLED TORQUE TRANSMISSION

• US 20100280415A1
• Filed: 07/13/2010
• Published: 11/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Griego, John A., Weststrate, Patrice A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,292,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09108 Methods for making a guide wire
• 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 25/09033 with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A method for treating an elongated medical instrument, comprising:

preparing a heating process for heating a plurality of selected sections of the medical instrument; and

subjecting the plurality of selected sections of the medical instrument to the heating process so as to alter the torque characteristics of the plurality of selected sections, the plurality of selected sections of the medical instrument being separated from one another by a plurality of unselected sections that are not subjected to the heating process.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the medical instrument is formed of stainless steel and the heating process raises the temperature of the plurality of selected sections above approximately 1200°

F.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of unselected sections that are not subjected to the heating process are protected from the heating process.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of unselected sections are protected from the heating process by heat sinks.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the heating process is followed by a quick quench process.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the sections in the plurality of selected sections is approximately the same length.