Apparatus for deflecting a catheter or lead

• US 6,485,440 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2000
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Gardeski, Kenneth C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US09/643,791
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 600/434, 600/435, 600/585, 294/33, 294/35, 29/33.F
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0009 Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0144 having flexible regions as a result of inner reinforcement means, e.g. struts or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

A deflectable stylet or guidewire formed of an elongated tube having a coil mounted to its distal end and a movable tension or push wire mounted within the coil and the tube, mechanically coupled to the distal end of the coil. A backbone is located within the coil, mechanically coupled to the proximal and distal ends of the coil and extending along one side of the coil. The backbone may be provided with projections extending laterally between adjacent turns of the coil and may have a generally arcuate cross section having a width greater than its arc height. In some embodiments the backbone may be formed from a tube having a slot extending longitudinally along one side thereof. In some embodiments the backbone may be attached to the coil at points between the proximal and distal ends of the coil.

Claims

1. A method of making a deflectable stylet or guidewire, comprising:

selecting an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends;

forming a coil and an elongated backbone, each having proximal and distal ends, of a ductile alloy;

mounting the backbone within the coil and welding the backbone to the coil, along one side of the coil;

after welding, heat treating the coil and backbone to provide a spring temper;

mounting the backbone and coil to the distal end of the tubular member, and

mounting a wire within the coil and tubular member and coupling the wire to a distal portion of the coil.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein forming the backbone comprises stamping the backbone to provide laterally extending projections and wherein mounting the backbone within the coil comprises mounting the backbone with the laterally extending projections located between turns of the coil.

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein welding the backbone to the coil comprises welding the backbone to the coil at locations intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the coil.