Guide wire tip

• US 6,475,167 B1
• Filed: 09/07/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Fleming, Thomas E., Vogel, Jeffrey H.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US09/656,890
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 600/433-435, 600/585
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09083 having a coil around a core
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09166 having radio-opaque features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

A guide wire tip including a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end. The core wire includes a tapered portion proximate the distal end. The tapered portion has a transverse, cross-sectional area which generally decreases distally. The tip is disposed at the distal end of the core wire. The tip has a transverse, cross-sectional area larger than the smallest transverse cross-sectional area of the tapered portion of the core wire. A coil extends over the core wire to the tip. The coil extends over at least a portion of the tapered portion. A radiopaque sheath is disposed proximate the tip and between the core wire and the coil.

Claims

1. A guide wire tip, comprising:

a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the core wire including a tapered portion, proximate the distal end, the tapered portion havings a traverse cross-sectional area which generally decreases distally;

a tip disposed at the distal end of the core wire; and

a radiopaque sheath comprised of a flexible polymeric material loaded with a radiopaque material; and

the radiopaque sheath being disposed around the distal portion of the core wire and having a first transverse dimension greater than a second transverse dimension disposed perpendicularly to the first transverse dimension.

2. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a radiopaque loaded heat shrink tube.

3. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tip is atraumatically rounded at its distal end.

4. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 3, wherein the tip comprises stainless steel.

5. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the core wire comprises stainless steel.

6. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the core wire includes a portion having a circular transverse cross section.

7. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 6, wherein the core wire includes a portion having a ribbon-shaped transverse cross section.

8. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 7, having a transition between the circular cross section portion and the ribbon portion which has a generally parabolic shape.

9. The guide wire tip in accordance with claim 1, wherein the core wire includes a distal portion having a first transverse dimension greater than a second transverse dimension disposed perpendicularly to the first transverse dimension.