EXPANDABLE TIP MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A guidewire comprising:
- a guidewire body having a distal end;
a plurality of elements having a proximal section extending along a distal portion of the guidewire body, and a distal section in which the plurality of elements diverge radially outward from the distal end of the guidewire body to form a compliant structure having an expanded profile that is greater than a radial dimension of the distal end of the guidewire body and being resiliently deformable to a reduced profile, where in the expanded profile the compliant structure provides a radial force in an outward circumferential direction from an axis of the guidewire body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Guidewires and methods of use of guidewires having improved atraumatic tips that can distribute force to lessen trauma as well as anchor the guidewire to facilitate improved catheter exchange.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A guidewire comprising:
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a guidewire body having a distal end; a plurality of elements having a proximal section extending along a distal portion of the guidewire body, and a distal section in which the plurality of elements diverge radially outward from the distal end of the guidewire body to form a compliant structure having an expanded profile that is greater than a radial dimension of the distal end of the guidewire body and being resiliently deformable to a reduced profile, where in the expanded profile the compliant structure provides a radial force in an outward circumferential direction from an axis of the guidewire body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 25)
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14. A guidewire for advancing through a body lumen in a tortuous anatomy, the guidewire comprising:
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a guidewire body extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion, the guidewire body comprising an elongated shape and configured to navigate the tortuous anatomy; a plurality of elements arranged to form a frame member having a diameter greater than a cross sectional diameter of the distal portion of the guidewire body; where the plurality of elements in the frame member can move relative to each other causing the frame member to be compliant and provide a radial force in an outward circumferential direction from the guidewire body when released from a constraining force; and the plurality of elements converging from a proximal region of the frame member to extend proximally from the frame member along the distal portion of the guidewire body, thereby forming a proximal extension of the plurality of elements, where the plurality of elements are continuous from the frame member into the proximal extension along the distal portion of the guidewire body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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26. A method of inserting a catheter into a blood vessel having a flow of blood therethrough, the method comprising:
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positioning a first catheter into the blood vessel; advancing a guidewire into the first catheter, where the guidewire comprises a guidewire body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a compliant structure located at the distal end of the guidewire body, where a first portion of the compliant structure is collapsible to permit advancement through the first catheter and self-expandable upon deployment from the first catheter, where a proximal portion of the compliant structure is continuous and extends along a distal portion of the guidewire; deploying the compliant structure into the blood vessel from a distal end of the first catheter such that the compliant structure expands in a uniform radial direction from the guidewire body against the blood vessel thereby permitting a distribution of force against the blood vessel allowing for the compliant structure to temporarily anchor the guidewire within the blood vessel; withdrawing the first catheter out of the blood vessel while maintaining the guidewire within the blood vessel; and advancing a second catheter over the guidewire.
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Specification