Medical devices incorporating at least one element made from a plurality of twisted and drawn wires

• US 6,191,365 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1998
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Francisco J. Avellanet
• Original Assignee: General Science Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Avellanet, Francisco J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/143,984
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 174/128.1, 174/128.2, 174/126.1, 174/125.1
• US Class Current: 174/128.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09075 having a core without a coil possibly combined with a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09191 made of twisted wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 1/02 Drawing metal wire or like flexible metallic material by drawing machines or apparatus in which the drawing action is effected by drums
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 37/045 Manufacture of wire or bars with particular section or properties
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/20 by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases degasification of liquids in general B01D19/00; arrangement of degassing apparatus in boiler feed supply F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4611 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/066 Overpressure, high pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/04 by electrolysis of water
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/08 Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/0693 having a strand configuration
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2201/2009 characterised by the materials used
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2201/2036 characterised by the use of different wires or filaments
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/3028 Stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/306 Aluminium (Al)
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/3067 Copper (Cu)
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/3082 Tungsten (W)
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2205/3085 : Alloys, i.e. non ferrous
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 2801/10 : Smallest filamentary entity of a rope or strand, i.e. wire, filament, fiber or yarn
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 13/0292 : After-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 5/08 : Several wires or the like stranded in the form of a rope
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 5/10 : stranded around a space, insulating material, or dissimilar conducting material
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0009 : Details relating to the conductive cores
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis

Abstract

Medical devices are provided which utilize a highly flexible cable of two and preferably three or more strands of wire. The strands are twined to form a wire rope which is drawn through successive dies to reduce its diameter until the outer surface of the cable is substantially smooth. A cable so-formed has improved elasticity. The cable is used in medical devices in which increased elasticity of a wire-like element is desired. Twisted and drawn cables incorporating a strand of a radiopaque metal or alloy may be used in devices in which radiopacity of a flexible portion of the device is desired. Twisted and drawn cables incorporating a strand of a metal or alloy having high electrical conductance may be used in devices in which electrical conductivity of a flexible portion of the device is desired.

Claims

1. In a medical device for temporary or permanent insertion or implantation into a human body, the improvement comprising:

at least one element comprising at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die to form a flexible cable.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires comprises at least three wires.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires includes at least one wire which has greater radiopacity than another of said at least two twisted wires.

4. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires comprises at least three stainless steel wires.

5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires includes at least one wire comprised of at least one of platinum, gold, silver, copper, and aluminum.

6. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires include at least one wire comprised of at least one nickel-chromium, platinum-iridium, and tungsten.

7. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two twisted wires includes at least one wire made from a first material and at least one wire made from a conductive material having greater conductance than said first material.

8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one element includes at least one of a first element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, and at least one of a second element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, said first element being comprised of a material which is present in said first element in a first ratio, and said second element having said material in a second ratio different than said first ratio.

9. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is an endoscopic instrument.

10. The improvement according to claim 9, wherein:

said at least one element is a control cable in said endoscopic instrument.

11. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a surgical basket device having a basket, and said at least one element is a component of said basket.

12. The improvement according to claim 11, wherein:

said basket is comprised of said at least one element and at least one wire.

13. The improvement according to claim 11, wherein:

said at least one element includes at least one of a first element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, and at least one of a second element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, said second element being comprised of at least one material which is not present in said first element.

14. The improvement according to claim 11, wherein:

said at least one element includes at least one of a first element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, and at least one of a second element comprised of at least two wires twisted and drawn through at least one die, said first element being comprised of a material which is present in said first element in a first ratio, and said second element having said material in a second ratio different than said first ratio.

15. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a surgical snare device, and said at least one element comprises a snare.

16. The improvement according to claim 15, wherein:

said snare is a bipolar snare.

17. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a rotary atherectomy device.

18. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein:

said at least one element comprises a rotary member.

19. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein:

said at least one element comprises a plurality of elements, each of said plurality of elements being a filiform element.

20. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a self-expanding stent.

21. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is an electrocautery probe.

22. The improvement according to claim 21, wherein:

said at least one element is an electrode of said electrocautery probe.

23. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is an embolization coil.

24. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a myocardial lead.

25. The improvement according to claim 24, wherein:

said at least one element is an electrode of said myocardial lead.

26. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is an orthodontic cable.

27. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a heart valve.

28. The improvement according to claim 27, wherein:

said at least one element is a ring component of said heart valve.

29. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is an IUD.

30. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said medical device is a cytology brush.

31. The improvement according to claim 30, wherein:

said at least one element comprises a plurality of elements, each of said plurality of elements being a bristle of said cytology brush.

32. The improvement according to claim 30, wherein:

said at least one element is a shaft of said cytology brush.

33. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least two wires are twisted and drawn through said at least one die without brazing to form said flexible cable.