Articulating steerable wire guide

• US 8,070,693 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ayala, Juan Carlos, Carter, Matthew P., Hardin, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foreman, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US11/599,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20070123804A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,848 Days
• Field of Search: 600/433, 600/434, 600/585, 604/164.13
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0163 Looped catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09175 having specific characteristics at the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09033 with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires

Abstract

A steerable wire guide comprises first and second members interconnected to form a unitary composite structure. The members slide relative to each other such that the leading portion of the composite structure bends in a first or second direction. The composite structure comprises a soft body portion at its distal end and a rigid body portion at its proximal end. Various cross-sections are disclosed. In an alternate embodiment, the wire guide comprises a first guiding wire section, a wire loop section and a second guiding wire section, the wire component being folded back on itself to form a generally central wire loop section; and a tubular sheath surrounding the first guiding wire section and the second guiding wire section. The first and second members or guiding wire sections can be connected to a removable handle to facilitate control and maneuverability of the wire guide.

Claims

1. A steerable wire guide having a longitudinal axis, comprising:

a composite structure comprising

a first member and a second member which are joined together by a flexible loop at the distal end of a leading portion at the distal end of the composite structure,

a tubular sheath surrounding the first member and the second member, and

a handle at the proximal end of the tubular sheath, connected to the first and second members, to control movement of the first and second members;

wherein the first member and second member are movable relative to each other and relative to the tubular sheath such that concurrent movement of the first and second members in a first direction causes the first and second members to advance the leading portion, while the concurrent movement of the first and second members in a second direction retracts the leading portion; and

such that movement of the first member relative to the second member in a first direction moves the leading portion in a third direction, and movement of the first member relative to the second member in a second direction opposite the first direction, moves the leading portion in a fourth direction, opposite the third direction, and

wherein the first member is concentrically disposed around the second member.

2. The steerable wire guide of claim 1, wherein the cross sections of the first and second members are substantially circular.

3. The steerable wire guide of claim 1, wherein the loop is plastic.

4. The steerable wire guide of claim 1, wherein the loop is plastic with a radiopaque coating.

5. The steerable wire guide of claim 1, wherein the loop is a shape memory material.