Guidewire extension system with tactile connection indication

• US 5,546,958 A
• Filed: 03/31/1994
• Issued: 08/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lake Region Manufacturing Incorporated (Integer Holdings Corporation Inc)
• Original Assignee: Lake Region Manufacturing Incorporated (Integer Holdings Corporation Inc)
• Inventors: Thorud, Michael S., Assell, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/220,902
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 128/772, 128/657, 604/95, 604/104, 604/280, 604/281, 604/282, 604/283
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09033 with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0905 extendable, e.g. mechanisms for extension

Abstract

A guidewire extension system including a guidewire and an extension wire is disclosed. The system includes female and male connector segments located on the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire. The hollow female connector segment, in one embodiment, includes a radial lip which intersects with lateral slots. The male connector segment includes an external groove. When the male connector is inserted into the female connector segment, the slots are expanded and the lip snaps into the groove providing a tactile indication that connection is completed.

No restriction or frictional fit is created. The guidewire and extension wire are freely rotatable with respect to each other and can be multiply connected and disconnected. Methods of catheter exchange with tactile indication of guidewire extension wire connection are disclosed.

Claims

1. A coupler for a guidewire/extension wire system, the coupler comprising:

a male segment and a cooperating

female segment, the male and female segments each being attached to one or the other of the distal end of the extension wire or the proximal end of the guidewire, the female coupler segment comprising;

a hollow, elongate sleeve, the sleeve having opposite ends and a sleeve wall which defines inside and outside sleeve diameters, one of said ends having an inside diameter such that it can be attached to one of said guidewire or said extension wire, the other of said ends defining a lip, and a plurality of slots, said slots intersecting said lip so that the lip can be separated by insertion of said male segment, the male coupler segment comprising;

an elongate member, the member having an exterior surface which defines an outside diameter which is less than said sleeve inside diameter, and oppositely disposed insertion and following ends, the exterior surface of said member defining a radial groove and an annular shoulder on said following end, said groove having a diameter which cooperates with said lip so that when said male segment is inserted into said female segment to couple, rotatively the female segment to the male segment, said female coupler segment is retained along said male coupler segment with an annular space therebetween, and coupling occurs with a tactile indication that insertion is complete and without the creation of a frictional fit between the segments, whereby said male segment and said female coupler segments are conveniently coupled and decoupled.

2. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the female coupler sleeve has two lateral slots.

3. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the outside diameter of the elongate member, as defined by its exterior surface, is less than the inside diameter of the female coupler, leaving an annular space therebetween.

4. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the tactile indication of a "snap" is experienced when the female segment and male member are completely intercoupled.

5. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the male member has a tapered insertion end, the taper permitting easy insertion of said male member into said female coupler.

6. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the female segment is disposed on the distal end of the extension wire and the male member is disposed on the proximal end of the guidewire.

7. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein the guidewire comprises a steerable guidewire having a core wire and a helical coil disposed about its distal end.

8. A coupler for a guidewire/extension wire system, the coupler comprising:

A male segment disposed on the proximal end of the guidewire, and a cooperating female segment disposed on the distal end of the extension wire, the female segment comprising;

a hollow, elongate sleeve, the sleeve having opposite ends and a sleeve wall which defines inside and outside sleeve diameters, one of said ends having an inside diameter such that it can be firmly attached to said extension wire, the other of said ends defining a circular lip, and a plurality of lateral slots, said slots intersecting said lip so that the lip can be separated by insertion of said male segment, the male coupler segment comprising;

an elongate member, the member having an exterior surface which defines an outside diameter which is less than said sleeve inside diameter, and opposite leading and following ends, the exterior surface of said member defining a radial groove and an annular shoulder on said following end, said radial groove having a diameter which cooperates with said lip so that after said male segment is inserted into said female segment, said male segment is retained within said female segment with an annular space therebetween, is rotatively coupled thereto, and coupling occurs with a tactile indication that insertion is complete as said lips return to a substantially non-separated position and without the creation of a frictional fit between the segments.

9. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein the female coupler sleeve has two lateral slots.

10. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein the outside diameter of the male member as defined by the exterior surface is less than the inside diameter of the female coupler, leaving an annular space therebetween.

11. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein the tactile sensation of a "snap" is experienced when the female segment and male member are completely intercoupled.

12. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein the male member has a tapered leading end, the taper permitting easy insertion of said male member into said female coupler.

13. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein the guidewire comprises a steerable guidewire having a plurality of multifilar, oppositely wound coils disposed about its distal end.