Flexible guide having two-way shape memory alloy
First Claim
1. A guidewire comprising an elongated, flexible core of a shape memory alloy which is changeable between a pseudoelastic austenitic phase structure and a pseudoelastic R-phase structure, the austenitic and R-phase structures having different predetermined corresponding core shapes, the core being selectively changeable between said phase structures in response to a thermal stimulus to impart tip-deflecting movement to the guidewire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical guide wire for insertion into body channels for accessing specific inner body areas without major surgery. The guide wire comprises an elongated, flexible guide having a core of a shape memory alloy, the guide utilizing the two-way memory properties of the shape memory alloy to impart tip-deflecting and rotational movement to the guide wire in response to a controlled thermal stimulus.
972 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A guidewire comprising an elongated, flexible core of a shape memory alloy which is changeable between a pseudoelastic austenitic phase structure and a pseudoelastic R-phase structure, the austenitic and R-phase structures having different predetermined corresponding core shapes, the core being selectively changeable between said phase structures in response to a thermal stimulus to impart tip-deflecting movement to the guidewire.
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11. A guidewire comprising an elongated, flexible core of a two-way shape memory alloy which is selectively changeable in response to a thermal stimulus between a first phase wherein the core has a first configuration and a second phase wherein the core has a second configuration;
- an elongated, helically wound wire coil providing a flexible tip;
the core extending forwardly within the tip and terminating forwardly in an enlarged diameter portion defining a plug carried adjacent the forward end of the coil;
the position of the plug in the core'"'"'s second configuration being angularly or rotationally displaced from the position of the tip in the core'"'"'s first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (12)
- an elongated, helically wound wire coil providing a flexible tip;
Specification