Medical device for navigation through anatomy and method of making same

• US 8,048,004 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Vascular Systems, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Precision Vascular Systems, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Layman, Ted W., Northrop, Clay W., Jacobsen, Stephen C., Turnlund, Todd H., Davis, Clark C., Backman, D. Kent, Snyder, Edward J., Olson, Kevin T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US11/831,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 600/585, 600/434, 600/435, 128/772, 606/7, 606/15, 606/159, 606/200, 607117-130, 242/387, 336/223, 604/103.09, 604/103.1, 604/523, 604/530, 604/96.01
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0013 Weakening parts of a catheter tubing, e.g. by making cuts in the tube or reducing thickness of a layer at one point to adjust the flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09016 with mandrils

Abstract

Medical devices for navigation through anatomy, including guidewires, which may have a core wire, a slotted tubular member, or both. Embodiments may have coils, including non-circular cross-section edge-wound marker coils, extended coil tips, and soldered or glued mesial joint coils. Core wires may have a step, ridge, or taper at the joints to the tubular member, and may be flattened at the distal tip. Radiopaque material may be located inside the tubular member, and the distal tip may be heat treated to make it shapeable. Additional tubular members or coils may be used concentrically or in line and may enhance flexibility, provide radiopacity, reduce friction, or reduce material or manufacturing cost. Tubular members may be chamfered or tapered continuously or incrementally. Slots may be arranged in groups, such as groups of three, and may be equal in depth or unequal in depth to provide a steerable or compressible tip.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a core member;

a first tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the core member, the first tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of slots formed therein;

a second tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the first tubular member, the second tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of slots formed therein; and

wherein the distal end of the first tubular member extends distally beyond the distal end of the second tubular member.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an edge wound coil disposed adjacent to the core member.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, or both includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein first tubular member and the second tubular member are attached.

5. The medical device of claim 4, wherein the first tubular member is attached to the core member.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are concentrically arranged.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first tubular member is aligned with the distal end of the second tubular member.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, or both include a region that is free of slots.

9. A medical device, comprising:

a core member;

a first nickel-titanium alloy tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the core member, the first tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;

a second nickel-titanium alloy tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the first tubular member, the second tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;

wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, or both have a plurality of slots formed therein; and

wherein the distal end of the first tubular member extends distally beyond the distal end of the second tubular member.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the first tubular member is free of slots.

11. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the first tubular member includes a region that is free of slots.

12. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the second tubular member is free of slots.

13. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the second tubular member includes a region that is free of slots.

14. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the first tubular member has a first flexibility, wherein the second tubular member has a second flexibility, and wherein the slots formed in the first tubular member, the second tubular member, or both blend the first flexibility with the second flexibility.