Guide wire for catheters and method for its use
First Claim
1. In combination:
- a catheter, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter having an internal lumen communicating with at least said distal end of said catheter, said internal lumen having an internal diameter, said distal end of said catheter having an external diameter, said internal lumen of said catheter extending substantially the full length of said catheter,a guide wire, said guide wire comprising an elongate guide wire body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tapered transition device attached to said guide wire body intermediate said proximal and distal ends of said guide wire body, said guide wire body having a proximal external diameter proximal to said tapered transition device which is less than said internal diameter of said internal lumen, said guide wire body having a distal external diameter distal to said tapered transition device and said tapered transition device having a diameter which is greater than said distal external diameter of said guide wire body, said tapered transition device having a distal edge which is tapered to provide a smooth transition between said diameter of said tapered transition device and said distal external diameter of said guide wire body,and a maneuvering handle having a gripping means for gripping said guide wire body and a bearing means for rotatably bearing against said proximal end of said catheter and a spring means for exerting a force between said bearing means and said gripping means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved guide wire for use with cardiovascular catheters, particularly angioplasty or balloon dilatation catheters. The guide wire has a solid core wire which makes up the proximal end of the guide wire. The core wire is tapered toward the distal end to increase flexibility. The tapered distal end of the core wire is surrounded by a coil spring, which may be made completely or partially from a highly radiopaque material. A tapered transition device is attached to the coil spring at a selected distance from the distal end of the guide wire. The transition device is roughly bullet-shaped with a tapered distal edge which provides a smooth transition to aid the dilatation catheter in crossing a stenosis. The tapered transition device also serves to predilate very tight stenoses, making it easier to cross the lesion with an angioplasty balloon or other therapeutic device. The transition device can be made of metal or plastic with a radiopaque filler for easier visualization by x-ray or fluoroscopy. A removably attachable handle for maneuvering the guide wire and a method of use for the improved guide wire are also disclosed. An angioplasty catheter with a reinforced proximal shaft, which allows easier one-handed operation of the catheter and guide wire system, is also presented.
283 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In combination:
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a catheter, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter having an internal lumen communicating with at least said distal end of said catheter, said internal lumen having an internal diameter, said distal end of said catheter having an external diameter, said internal lumen of said catheter extending substantially the full length of said catheter, a guide wire, said guide wire comprising an elongate guide wire body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tapered transition device attached to said guide wire body intermediate said proximal and distal ends of said guide wire body, said guide wire body having a proximal external diameter proximal to said tapered transition device which is less than said internal diameter of said internal lumen, said guide wire body having a distal external diameter distal to said tapered transition device and said tapered transition device having a diameter which is greater than said distal external diameter of said guide wire body, said tapered transition device having a distal edge which is tapered to provide a smooth transition between said diameter of said tapered transition device and said distal external diameter of said guide wire body, and a maneuvering handle having a gripping means for gripping said guide wire body and a bearing means for rotatably bearing against said proximal end of said catheter and a spring means for exerting a force between said bearing means and said gripping means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of catheterization, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a catheter, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter having an internal lumen communicating with at least said distal end of said catheter, said internal lumen having an internal diameter, said distal end of said catheter having an external diameter, said internal lumen of said catheter extending substantially the full length of said catheter, (b) providing a guide wire, said guide wire comprising an elongate guide wire body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tapered transition device attached to said guide wire body intermediate said proximal and distal ends of said guide wire body, said guide wire body having a proximal external diameter proximal to said tapered transition device which is less than said internal diameter of said internal lumen, said guide wire body having a distal external diameter distal to said tapered transition device and said tapered transition device having a diameter which is greater than said distal external diameter of said guide wire body, said tapered transition device having a distal edge which is tapered to provide a smooth transition between said diameter of said tapered transition device and said distal external diameter of said guide wire body, (c) inserting said proximal end of said guide wire into said internal lumen at said distal end of said catheter until said tapered transition device is adjacent to said distal end of said catheter, (d) attaching a maneuvering handle to said proximal end of said guide wire, said maneuvering handle having a gripping means for gripping said guide wire body, and a bearing means for rotatably bearing against said proximal end of said catheter and a spring means for exerting a force between said bearing means and said gripping means, and (e) inserting said distal end of said guide wire and said distal end of said catheter into a passage in the body of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. In combination:
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a catheter, said catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter having an internal lumen communicating with at least said distal end of said catheter, said internal lumen of said catheter extending substantially the full length of said catheter;
said internal lumen having an internal diameter, said distal end of said catheter having an external diameter,a guide wire, said guide wire comprising an elongate guide wire body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tapered transition device attached to said guide wire body intermediate said proximal and distal ends of said guide wire body, said guide wire body having a diameter which is less than said internal diameter of said internal lumen and said tapered transition device having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of said guide wire body, said tapered transition device having a distal edge which is tapered to provide a smooth transition between said diameter of said tapered transition device and said diameter of said guide wire body, and a maneuvering handle having a gripping means for gripping said guide wire body, and a bearing means for rotatably bearing against said proximal end of said catheter and a spring means for exerting a force between said bearing means and said gripping means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification