Torsionally compensated guidewire
First Claim
1. A guidewire for use in tortuous regions of a vasculature, comprising:
- a core having a proximal region having an outside diameter and a distal region;
a coil attached to the distal region, the coil having an outside diameter, a proximal end, a distal end and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and
the coil and the distal region being sized to fit within tortuous regions of the vasculature;
whereby, the ratio of the core proximal region outside diameter to the coil outside diameter is at least 1.4 to 1 to optimize torsional efficiency of the guidewire when the guidewire is used within the tortuous regions of the vasculature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A guidewire includes a core and a coil in composite cooperation to enable the guidewire to be used within tortuous regions of the vasculature. The core has a proximal region and a distal region. The distal region includes a flattened end and a tang for connecting the core to the coil. The coil has a proximal end, a distal end and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The ratio between the proximal region and the coil diameter is 1.4:1 or greater. The guidewire includes three joints for attaching the coil to the core. A distal joint attaches the distal end of the coil to the flattened end of the core. A proximal joint attaches proximal end of the coil to the core. A medial joint attaches the length of the coil to the tang. The three joints cooperate with the 1.4:1 ratio to improve torque transmission ability of the guidewire to enable the guidewire to steer through vessels with bends of over 90 degrees and with lumen diameters of less than 3 mm.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A guidewire for use in tortuous regions of a vasculature, comprising:
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a core having a proximal region having an outside diameter and a distal region;
a coil attached to the distal region, the coil having an outside diameter, a proximal end, a distal end and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end; and
the coil and the distal region being sized to fit within tortuous regions of the vasculature;
whereby, the ratio of the core proximal region outside diameter to the coil outside diameter is at least 1.4 to 1 to optimize torsional efficiency of the guidewire when the guidewire is used within the tortuous regions of the vasculature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A micro guidewire, comprising:
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a core having a proximal region having an outside diameter of greater than 0.012″
, and a distal region;
the distal region includes a flattened end and a tang;
a coil wound about the distal region, the coil having an outside diameter of 0.0085″
or less, a proximal end, a distal end and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
a distal joint for attaching the distal end of the coil to the flattened end of the core, a proximal joint for attaching the proximal end of the coil to the core, and a medial joint for attaching the length of the coil to the tang; and
the medial joint attaches the coil to the core in a position relatively no more than ⅓
of the length away from the distal end to optimize torsional stiffness of the distal region of the core.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of inserting a guidewire into tortuous regions of the vasculature of a patient, comprising:
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providing a guidewire having a core having a proximal region with an outside diameter and a distal region, the distal region includes a flattened end and a tang;
the guidewire includes a coil, the coil has a proximal end, an outside diameter, a distal end and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
the ratio of the core proximal region outside diameter to the coil outside diameter is at least 1.4 to 1;
the coil has a distal joint for attaching the distal end of the coil to the flattened end of the core, a proximal joint for attaching the proximal end of the coil to the core, and a medial joint for attaching the length of the coil to the tang;
inserting the guidewire into the tortuous regions of the vasculature of a patient; and
rotating the proximal region of the core to steer the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of inserting a guidewire into tortuous regions of the vasculature of a patient, comprising:
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providing a guidewire having a core having a proximal region with an outside diameter and a distal region, a coil having an outside diameter and being attached to the distal region, the ratio of the core proximal region outside diameter to the coil outside diameter is at least 1.4 to 1 to enable the guidewire to transmit torque from the proximal region to the distal region with an 80% torsional efficiency within a tortuous region of the vasculature;
inserting the guidewire into a vessel within the tortuous regions of the vasculature of a patient, the vessel having a lumen diameter of less than 3 mm; and
rotating the proximal region of the core to steer the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification