Medical device with push force limiter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical device, comprising:
- a core wire having a distal tip, a proximal portion having a distal end, a distal portion having a proximal end, and an intermediate portion having a proximal and a distal end, the distal portion including the distal tip and extending from the distal tip to the distal end of the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion extending from the proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the proximal portion; and
an outer member disposed over the core wire and extending from the distal tip to the proximal portion, the outer member having a generally constant flexibility;
wherein the intermediate portion of the core wire is more flexible than the distal portion of the core wire and the proximal portion of the core wire, andwherein the distal portion has a length from the proximal end to the distal tip that is greater than the maximum width of the distal portion; and
wherein the intermediate portion is configured to buckle when subjected to a force equal to a preselected force in the range of about 0.02 pound to about 0.5 pound.
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Abstract
A medical device with improved flexibility characteristics and methods of using the same. The medical device may include a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate region. In at least some embodiments, the column strength or flexibility of the intermediate portion is generally greater than the column strength or flexibility at the distal end.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A medical device, comprising:
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a core wire having a distal tip, a proximal portion having a distal end, a distal portion having a proximal end, and an intermediate portion having a proximal and a distal end, the distal portion including the distal tip and extending from the distal tip to the distal end of the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion extending from the proximal end of the distal portion to the distal end of the proximal portion; and an outer member disposed over the core wire and extending from the distal tip to the proximal portion, the outer member having a generally constant flexibility; wherein the intermediate portion of the core wire is more flexible than the distal portion of the core wire and the proximal portion of the core wire, and wherein the distal portion has a length from the proximal end to the distal tip that is greater than the maximum width of the distal portion; and wherein the intermediate portion is configured to buckle when subjected to a force equal to a preselected force in the range of about 0.02 pound to about 0.5 pound. - 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)
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25. A guidewire, comprising:
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an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion having a distal end; a push-force limiter region having a distal end, the push-force limiter region coupled to the distal end of the distal portion; a distal tip coupled to the distal end of the push-force limiter region; wherein the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion; wherein the distal tip is more flexible than the distal portion; and wherein the push-force limiter region is more flexible than the distal tip, and wherein the distal tip has a length along a longitudinal axis of the guidewire that is greater than its maximum width; an outer member disposed over the elongate core member and extending from the distal end of the core member to the proximal portion of the core member, the outer member having a length along the longitudinal axis and a generally constant flexibility along its length; and wherein the push-force limiter region is configured to buckle when subjected to a force equal to a preselected force in the range of about 0.02 pound to about 0.5 pound. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification