Anatomically matched steerable PTCA guidewire
First Claim
1. A small diameter steerable PTCA guidewire comprising:
- an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section, an intermediate section connected to the proximal section and a distal section connected to the intermediate section;
the distal section being more flexible than the intermediate section;
the intermediate section being more flexible than the proximal section;
the distal section being approximately fifteen to thirty centimeters in length;
the intermediate section being approximately twelve to eighteen centimeters in length whereby the intermediate section may extend through the region of a human aortic arch when the distal section is disposed, at least in part, in a coronary artery;
the proximal section being formed from a material different from that of the intermediate and distal sections and has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially greater than about 30 million p.s.i., the intermediate and distal sections being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of the material from which the proximal section is formed;
said shaft being not substantially greater in diameter than about 0.018 inches;
said shaft being sufficiently torsionally rigid along its length so that when the intermediate section is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment having at least one bend of a shorter radius than that of a human aortic arch, the shaft is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A small diameter steerable guidewire adapted for use in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has three segments, each adapted to reside in a separate region of the arterial and coronary anatomy during angioplasty. The proximal segment is adapted to reside proximally of the aortic arch and has high torsional rigidity for enhanced pushability and rotational transmission. An intermediate segment is adapted to reside in the region of the aortic arch and is more flexible than the proximal section while maintaining a high degree of rotation transmission. The distal segment is more flexible than the intermediate segment and is dimensioned to reside from a region proximally of the primary curve of the guidewire to and into the coronary arteries.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A small diameter steerable PTCA guidewire comprising:
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an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section, an intermediate section connected to the proximal section and a distal section connected to the intermediate section; the distal section being more flexible than the intermediate section; the intermediate section being more flexible than the proximal section; the distal section being approximately fifteen to thirty centimeters in length; the intermediate section being approximately twelve to eighteen centimeters in length whereby the intermediate section may extend through the region of a human aortic arch when the distal section is disposed, at least in part, in a coronary artery; the proximal section being formed from a material different from that of the intermediate and distal sections and has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially greater than about 30 million p.s.i., the intermediate and distal sections being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of the material from which the proximal section is formed; said shaft being not substantially greater in diameter than about 0.018 inches; said shaft being sufficiently torsionally rigid along its length so that when the intermediate section is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment having at least one bend of a shorter radius than that of a human aortic arch, the shaft is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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13. A small diameter steerable PTCA guidewire for use with an over-the-wire PTCA catheter and a guide catheter adapted to receive the PTCA catheter and guidewire comprising, in combination:
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the guide catheter having a proximal portion adapted to be deployed in the aorta proximally of the aortic arch, an intermediate section adapted to pass through the aortic arch and a distal segment adapted to reside in the ascending portion of the aorta, the distal portion having at least one bend of a radius shorter than the radius assumed by the intermediate portion when the intermediate portion passes through the aortic arch; the guidewire having an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section, an intermediate section connected to the proximal section and a distal section connected to the intermediate section; the distal section being more flexible than the intermediate section; the intermediate section being more flexible than the proximal section whereby the intermediate section may extend through the region of a human aortic arch when the distal section is disposed, at least in part, in a coronary artery; the proximal section being formed from a material different from that of the intermediate and distal sections and has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially greater than about 30 million p.s.i., the intermediate and distal sections being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of the material from which the proximal section is formed; said shaft being not substantially greater in diameter than about 0.018 inches; the lengths of the proximal intermediate and distal section of the guidewire being such that throughout the full range of lengthwise movement of the guidewire with respect to the guide catheter, the proximal section of the guidewire will remain in the proximal section of the guide catheter and the distal section of the guidewire will remain distally of the intermediate section of the guide catheter; said guidewire shaft being sufficiently torsionally rigid along its length so that when the intermediate section of the guidewire is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment of the guidewire having at least one bend of a shorter radius than that of a human aortic arch, the shaft is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end.
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19. A small diameter steerable PTCA guidewire comprising an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section that comprises the major length of the shaft, said proximal section being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than 30 million p.s.i.;
the portion of the shaft extending distally of the proximal section being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity no greater than about 30 million p.s.i. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of directing a PTCA catheter into a selected coronary artery comprising:
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providing an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section, an intermediate section connected to the proximal section and a distal section connected to the intermediate section; the distal section being more flexible than the intermediate section; the intermediate section being more flexible than the proximal section whereby the intermediate section may extend through the region of a human aortic arch when the distal section is disposed, at least in part, in a coronary artery; the proximal section being formed from a material different from that of the intermediate and distal sections and has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially greater than about 30 million p.s.i., the intermediate and distal sections being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of the material from which the proximal section is formed; said shaft being not substantially greater in diameter than about 0.018 inches; said shaft being sufficiently torsionally rigid along its length so that when the intermediate section is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment having at least one bend of a shorter radius than that of a human aortic arch, the shaft is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end; said method further comprising placing said guidewire in a patient'"'"'s aorta and advancing the guidewire distally through the aortic arch and into the coronary arterial tree; manipulating the guidewire by combined rotational and translational movement; and maintaining the proximal section of the guidewire shaft proximally of the aortic arch and the distal section of the shaft distally of the aortic arch at all times during said manipulation of the guidewire.
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23. A small diameter steerable PTCA guidewire comprising:
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an elongate flexible shaft having a proximal section, an intermediate section connected to the proximal section and a distal section connected to the intermediate section; the distal section being more flexible than the intermediate section; the intermediate section being more flexible than the proximal section; the distal section being approximately fifteen to thirty centimeters in length; the intermediate section being approximately twelve to eighteen centimeters in length whereby the intermediate section may extend through the region of a human aortic arch when the distal section is disposed, at least in part, in a coronary artery; the proximal section being formed from a material having different characteristics from that of the intermediate and distal sections and has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially greater than about 30 million p.s.i., the intermediate and distal sections being formed from a material having a modulus of elasticity substantially less than that of the material from which the proximal section is formed; said shaft being not substantially greater in diameter than about 0.018 inches; said shaft being sufficiently torsionally rigid along its length so that when the intermediate section is in a configuration corresponding to that of a human aortic arch and with the distal segment having at least one bend of a shorter radius than that of a human aortic arch, the shaft is capable of transmitting controllably from its proximal to its distal end rotation applied at the proximal end. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification