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Guideware having a distal tip with variable flexibility

  • US 5,762,615 A
  • Filed: 06/04/1996
  • Issued: 06/09/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A guidewire for navigating through body vessels, said guidewire having distal and proximal ends, said guidewire comprising:

  • (a) an elongated core wire having distal and proximal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;

    (b) a coiled spring surrounding said distal end of said core wire, said spring having distal and proximal ends and a length extending therebetween, said distal end of said spring being attached to said core wire, said core wire extending through said spring, said distal end of said guidewire having the ability to be manually bent to a desired configuration prior to insertion into said body vessels; and

    (c) a tube surrounding said core wire proximal to said distal end of said coiled spring, said tube being able to slide back and forth with respect to said longitudinal axis of said core wire without being rotated, said tube having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end of said tube being coupled to said coil such that as said tube slides along said longitudinal axis of said core wire with the angular position of said tube with respect to said longitudinal axis remaining substantially constant, the length of said coiled spring changes.

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