×

Guidewire system

  • US 6,428,489 B1
  • Filed: 12/22/1999
  • Issued: 08/06/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A guiding element configured for introduction into a body lumen to guide a catheter to a predetermined location comprising:

  • an elongate body having a longitudinal axis;

    a plurality of transverse beams integrally formed in said elongate body and extending generally crosswise of the longitudinal axis, said beams being spaced apart by openings along the length of the body;

    at least one axial beam extending generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. disposed intermediate and connecting at least two adjacent transverse beams, and wherein said axial beam and at least one of said adjacent transverse beams are configured so that strain in the transverse beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body, and strain in the axial beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body are substantially the same; and

    , wherein the element is configured so that the interaction of the transverse beams with the openings and longitudinal beams increases the lateral flexibility of the body more than it reduces the torsional stiffness thereof.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×