STEP FEATURE FOR STEERABLE GUIDEWIRES
First Claim
1. A step feature guidewire, comprising:
- a guidewire comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter; and
a self-expanding element disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and having a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter;
wherein the self-expanding element being expandable under its inherent proprieties, andwherein the expanded diameter is approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanism can include a step feature guidewire having a guidewire with a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter. A self-expanding element can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter. The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent proprieties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element. Further, the expanded diameter can be approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. While the guidewire is designed for passing through a body lumen while treating a patient, the expanded diameter is less than any body lumen diameter the guidewire is determined to pass through.
6 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A step feature guidewire, comprising:
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a guidewire comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter; and a self-expanding element disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and having a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter; wherein the self-expanding element being expandable under its inherent proprieties, and wherein the expanded diameter is approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A steerable catheter and guidewire system, comprising:
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a catheter having a catheter inner diameter forming a guidewire lumen and a catheter outer diameter; a guidewire comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire diameter; and a self-expanding element disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire, wherein when the self-expanding element is disposed within the catheter, the self-expanding element has a contracted diameter, wherein when the self-expanding element is disposed outside the catheter, the self-expanding element has an expanded diameter, and wherein the self-expanding element being expandable under its inherent proprieties. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of advancing a steerable guidewire through a body lumen, comprising the steps of:
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providing a steerable guidewire having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire diameter; providing a self-expanding element disposed proximate the distal end, having a contracted and an expanded diameter; and expanding the self-expanding element to the expanded diameter; wherein the expanded diameter is approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification