Connector and guidewire connectable thereto
First Claim
1. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
- an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Connector and guidewires connectable thereto are disclosed which enable for the connection of guidewires requiring electrical connection to an external electrical source. These guidewires may be used for MRI imaging and the external source could be an MRI scanner. An embodiment of a guidewire is provided with enables for easier connection through improved dimensions and mechanical strength at the proximal end. An embodiment of a connector is provided which can attach to any guidewire or coaxial cable. These connectors provide for desirable mechanical and electrical properties while still enabling catheters and other tools to be used in conjunction with guidewires and other cables.
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Citations
94 Claims
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1. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
an interface circuit electrically coupled to said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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67. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
a connection detector exposed to said channel; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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68. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
a DC blocking capacitor electrically coupled to at least one of said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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69. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
an interface circuit electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
a connection detector exposed to said channel; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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70. A connector for receiving an MRI guidewire, comprising:
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an orifice for receiving an end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with an inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with an outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
an interface circuit electrically coupled to said first and second contacts;
a connection detector exposed to said channel;
a DC blocking capacitor electrically coupled to at least one of said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said end of said guidewire within said channel.
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71. A medical device, comprising:
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a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidewire, comprising;
an inner conductor;
an outer conductor coaxially disposed about said inner conductor;
a distal end sized and shaped for insertion into a subject to receive MRI signals; and
a proximal end sized and shaped for insertion into a connector, said proximal end having an outer conductor contact coupled electrically to said outer conductor, and an extended section of said inner conductor that extends axially beyond said outer conductor contact, said extended section including;
an inner conductor contact having an electrically conductive material disposed at least partially around said inner conductor; and
an insulated area interposed between said outer conductive contact and said inner conductive contact, and having an electrically insulating material disposed at least partially around said inner conductor; and
a connector for receiving said MRI guidewire, comprising;
an orifice for receiving said proximal end of said guidewire;
a channel communicating with said orifice and providing an insertion path for said proximal end of said guidewire;
a first contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said first contact sized and shaped to couple with said inner conductor contact of said guidewire;
a second contact at least partly exposed to said channel, said second contact sized and shaped to couple with said outer conductor contact of said guidewire, said first and second contacts being sequentially disposed along said insertion path;
an output terminal electrically coupled to said first and second contacts; and
a fastener structured and positioned to hold said proximal end of said guidewire within said channel. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)
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Specification