STEERABLE GUIDEWIRE SYSTEM

• US 20170319826A1
• Filed: 07/28/2017
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microvention Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microvention Incorporated (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowman, Heath, Tsukashima, Ross
• Granted Patent: US 10,682,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1214 Coils or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12163 having a string of elements connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12054 Details concerning the detachment of the occluding device from the introduction device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12063 electrolytically detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12068 detachable by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1209 detachable by electrical current or potential, e.g. electroactive polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0158 with magnetic or electrical means, e.g. by using piezo materials, electroactive polymers, magnetic materials or by heating of shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09041 Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires

Abstract

A catheter system utilizing one or more sensors is described. The catheter can be used as part of an embolic coil system, guidewire system, or combined embolic coil/guidewire system where the devices interact with the catheter system. A variable detachment embolic coil system and guidewire system are also described.

Claims

1. A steerable catheter system comprising:

a catheter comprising one or more electrical contacts configured to supply from a power supply;

a guidewire movable within said catheter;

wherein supplying power to said one or more electrical contacts causes said guidewire to bend.

2. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said one or more electrical contacts further comprises a proximal electrical contact and a distal electrical contact.

3. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said power supply further comprises a control system and user interface configured to activate said power supply.

4. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said guidewire bends in response to an increase in temperature.

5. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said guidewire is a bimetallic composite.

6. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said guidewire comprises a first cross sectional portion composed of a first metal, and a second cross sectional portion composed of a second metal.

7. The steerable catheter system of claim 6, wherein said first metal has a different coefficient of expansion than said second metal.

8. The steerable catheter system of claim 7, wherein a distal end of said guidewire comprises said first metal and said second metal.

9. The steerable catheter system of claim 7, wherein an entire length of said guidewire comprises said first metal and said second metal.

10. The steerable catheter system of claim 2, wherein said proximal electrical contact and said distal electrical contact are spaced apart from each other from about 0.5 to 3 cm.

11. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said one or more electrical contacts comprise three electrical contacts.

12. The steerable catheter system of claim 11, wherein a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are configured for use with said guidewire, and said second electrical contact and a third electrical contact are configured for used with an embolic coil detachment system.

13. The steerable catheter system of claim 1, wherein said one or more electrical contacts are configured to bend said guidewire and to detach an embolic coil.

14. A steerable catheter system, comprising:

a guidewire having an elongate shape and being sized to move through a catheter;

said guidewire having a first cross sectional portion composed of a first metal and a second cross sectional portion composed of a second metal, such that when heated, said guidewire bends.

15. The steerable catheter system of claim 14, wherein said first cross section portion and said second cross sectional portion extend along a distal region of said guidewire.

16. The steerable catheter system of claim 15, wherein said first metal has a different coefficient of expansion than said second metal.

17. The steerable catheter system of claim 16, wherein said first cross sectional portion and said second cross sectional portion are each a half of an entire cross section of said guidewire.

18. A method of steering a catheter comprising:

advancing a guidewire through a lumen of a catheter;

said lumen having one or more electrical contacts exposed within said lumen;

contacting said one or more electrical contacts with said guidewire;

directing power to said one or more electrical contacts so as to increase a temperature of said guidewire, thereby causing a distal end of said guidewire to bend; and

,

orienting said distal end of said guidewire in a desired direction.

19. The method of steering a catheter of claim 18, further comprising directing power to said one or more electrical contacts so as to detach an embolic coil.

20. The method of steering a catheter of claim 18, wherein said distal end of said guidewire has a cross section composed of two different materials, each of which having a different coefficient of expansion.