Rapid exchange guidewire mechanism
First Claim
1. An elongate, substantially linear guidewire for use with a catheter, the guidewire comprising a free proximal end that, during use, remains external of the body of a patient into which the guidewire is inserted, a distal end, and a non-linear segment formed in the wire adjacent its proximal end, the non-linear segment including at least one permanent bend having at least a portion thereof displaced transversely from the longitudinal axis of the guidewire by a distance that is substantially greater than the diameter of the guidewire.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for withdrawing an indwelling over-the-wire catheter from an indwelling guidewire in which the guidewire is of a conventional length and is maintained in its indwelling position as the catheter is withdrawn. The position of the guidewire is maintained by constraining a segment of the catheter shaft and its included guidewire in a non-linear configuration such that the guidewire remains in its position as the catheter is withdrawn. The invention may be used to perform catheter exchanges without requiring the use of exchange wires, extension wires, rapid exchange catheters or special devices to connect the guidewire to the guide catheter.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. An elongate, substantially linear guidewire for use with a catheter, the guidewire comprising a free proximal end that, during use, remains external of the body of a patient into which the guidewire is inserted, a distal end, and a non-linear segment formed in the wire adjacent its proximal end, the non-linear segment including at least one permanent bend having at least a portion thereof displaced transversely from the longitudinal axis of the guidewire by a distance that is substantially greater than the diameter of the guidewire.
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13. An attachment wire for the proximal end of a guidewire comprising:
a length of wire substantially shorter than the length of the guidewire, and a connector on at least one end of the attachment wire for connection to the proximal end of the guidewire, the attachment wire being deformable to have a non-linear segment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Specification