FLEXIBLE GUIDE WIRE WITH TANTALUM MARKER

• US 20170113024A1
• Filed: 10/27/2016
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Spinal Simplicity, LLC
• Original Assignee: Spinal Simplicity, LLC
• Inventors: Hess, Harold, Frock, Melissa, Snell, Douglas, Moseley, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 11,071,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1631 Special drive shafts, e.g. flexible shafts A61B17/1642, A61B17/164 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7074 Tools specially adapted for spinal fixation operations other than for bone removal or filler handling A61B17/7062, A61B17/808, A61B17/8858 take precedence; for spinal image producing devices A61B90/36, A61B34/20; markers A61B90/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7091 for applying, tightening or removing longitudinal element-to-bone anchor locking elements, e.g. caps, set screws, nuts or wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8897 Guide wires or guide pins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09133 having specific material compositions or coatings; Materials with specific mechanical behaviours, e.g. stiffness, strength to transmit torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09166 having radio-opaque features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0053 having a variable stiffness along the longitudinal axis, e.g. by varying the pitch of the coil or braid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A guide wire comprises a longitudinal body having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion. The proximal and distal end portions have rigid shafts with a flexible portion disposed therebetween. The flexible portion is fixedly attached to the proximal end portion and distal end portion. An outer surface of the flexible portion has a diameter equal to an outer surface of the proximal end portion and an outer surface of the distal end portion. The distal end portion further comprises at least one marker disposed therein configured to locate a distal tip of the guide wire during imaging.

Claims

1. A guide wire, comprising:

a longitudinal body having a central axis including a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion, the proximal and distal end portions having rigid shafts; and

a flexible portion disposed between the proximal and distal end portions.

2. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion is fixedly attached to the proximal end portion and distal end portion and wherein an outer surface of the flexible portion has a diameter equal to an outer surface of the proximal end portion and an outer surface of the distal end portion.

3. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion includes a coil tube formed generally perpendicular to the central axis.

4. The guide wire of claim 3, wherein the flexible portion includes stainless steel.

5. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the distal end portion has a distal tip configured for guiding a pedicle screw insertion.

6. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion has a longitudinal dimension shorter than a longitudinal dimension of the distal portion and the flexible portion individually.

7. The guide wire of claim 6, wherein the flexible portion has a longitudinal dimension shorter than a longitudinal dimension of the distal portion.

8. The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the flexible portion is approximately five inches.

9. The guide wire of claim 8, wherein the distal portion is approximately thirteen inches and the proximal portion is approximately one inch.

10. A guide wire, comprising:

a longitudinal body having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion, the proximal and distal end portions having rigid shafts; and

a flexible portion secured between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion having an outer surface diameter equal to an outer surface diameter of the proximal end portion and an outer surface diameter of the distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion has a longitudinal dimension greater than each of the flexible portion and the proximal end portion.

11. The guide wire of claim 10, wherein the flexible portion is a coil tube.

12. A guide wire, comprising:

a longitudinal body having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion, the distal end portion having at least one marker disposed therein configured to locate a distal tip of the guide wire during imaging.

13. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein the at least one marker is a high density biocompatible material placed within the distal end portion of the guide wire.

14. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein the at least one marker is positioned such that a central portion of the marker is co-linearly aligned with a distal tip of the guide wire.

15. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein the at least one marker is machined into a core of the longitudinal body.

16. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein the at least one marker is a straight wire.

17. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein the at least one marker is a spherical ball.

18. The guide wire of claim 12, wherein two markers are positioned within the distal end portion of the guide wire perpendicular to each other.

19. The guide wire of claim 18, wherein the two markers form an X shape when viewed laterally along a length of the guide wire.

20. A guide wire, comprising:

a longitudinal body having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion, the distal end portion having at least one marker machined into a core of the longitudinal body and positioned such that a central portion of the marker is co-linearly aligned with a distal tip of the guide wire, the at least one marker configured to locate the distal tip of the guide wire during imaging.

21. A guide wire, comprising:

a longitudinal body having a proximal end portion and an opposing distal end portion, the proximal and distal end portions having rigid shafts;

a flexible portion secured between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion having an outer surface diameter equal to an outer surface diameter of the proximal end portion and an outer surface diameter of the distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion has a longitudinal dimension greater than each of the flexible portion and the proximal end portion; and

at least one marker machined into a core of the longitudinal body and positioned such that a central portion of the at least one marker is co-linearly aligned with a distal tip of the guide wire, the at least one marker configured to locate the distal tip of the guide wire during imaging.