Wire torque apparatus, wire insertion devices, improved aneurysm clips and improved aneurysm clip applicators

• US 8,496,603 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmounth College (Dartmouth College)
• Original Assignee: Trustees of Dartmouth College
• Inventors: Mamourian, Alexander Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Sean P
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENSON, DEVIN B
• Application Number:
  US12/512,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20090292291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 600/585
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09116 Design of handles or shafts or gripping surfaces thereof for manipulating guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09041 Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires

Abstract

Wire torque apparatus and methods for engaging a wire torque apparatus are disclosed. Wire insertion devices and methods for inserting a wire into a catheter are disclosed. An improved aneurysm clip utilizes non-metallic material. An improvement to an aneurysm clip applicator tool includes a power supply to power an electromagnet, an adjustable counter element that is attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is magnetized, and a switch to disengage the electromagnet. When the electromagnet is magnetized and comes within a certain proximity to the counter element, the electromagnet and the counter element attract and cling to one another. They are released by activating a switch.

Claims

1. A wire torque apparatus, comprising

an outer block forming (a) a first lengthwise slot at a first end and extending within the outer block, and (b) a tapered cavity at a second end and extending within the outer block, the tapered cavity including:

(c) a tapered, internally threaded cavity portion proximate the second end, and

(d) a tapered, nonthreaded cavity portion connecting the first lengthwise slot and the internally threaded portion; and

an inner block forming (a) a second lengthwise slot (b) a plurality of tapered externally threaded elements, and (c) a tongue proximate the externally threaded elements, extending outward from a tip of the inner block and past the externally threaded elements;

wherein the first and second lengthwise slots are configured to accommodate passage of a length of wire therethrough when the slots are aligned, such that the apparatus can clamp the wire without threading an end of the wire through the apparatus, and wherein the threaded elements are configured to screw the inner block at least partially into the tapered cavity of the outer block to engage the wire; and

wherein, upon initial engagement of the externally threaded elements with the internally threaded cavity portion, the tongue blocks the wire from entering the first lengthwise slot, and upon further engagement, the tongue advances past the nonthreaded cavity portion and deforms against the wire to bias the wire against an inner surface of the outer block, to hold the wire in place within the tapered cavity.

2. The wire torque apparatus of claim 1, the outer and inner blocks being hexagonal in cross-section.

3. The wire torque apparatus of claim 1, the outer and inner blocks rotatable between an open position for accommodating the length of wire and a closed position for holding the wire in place, the tongue blocking the wire from the slot in the closed position.

4. An improved wire torque apparatus of a type that is configured to clamp a length of wire therein, the improvement wherein structure of the apparatus forms:

inner and outer elements configured for engaging with one another such that the inner element screws at least partially into the outer element; and

a lengthwise slot configured to accommodate passage of the wire such that the apparatus can clamp onto the wire without threading an end of the wire through the apparatus;

wherein the inner element includes a tongue extending from a tip of the inner element, and

wherein the outer element forms a tapered cavity for accepting the inner element, the tapered cavity having an opening, a tapered, internally threaded portion proximate the opening and a tapered, nonthreaded portion proximate the internally threaded portion;

wherein upon initial engagement of the inner element with the threaded cavity portion, the tongue blocks the wire from entering the slot, and upon further engagement, the tongue advances within the nonthreaded portion and deforms against the wire to bias the wire against an inner surface of the outer element, to hold the wire in place within a tapered cavity of the outer element.

5. The wire torque apparatus of claim 4, the lengthwise slot comprising a first slot in the inner element and a second slot in the outer element, the first and second slots configured to accommodate passage of the wire when aligned, wherein the second slot in the outer element connects with the nonthreaded portion of the tapered cavity.

6. The wire torque apparatus of claim 5, wherein alignment of the first and second slots facilitates insertion of the wire into the apparatus from a direction oblique to a direction of the lengthwise slot.

7. The wire torque apparatus of claim 4, the lengthwise slot formed when first and second lengthwise sub-slots of the apparatus are aligned, and wherein:

the inner element comprises a handle at an end of the inner element opposite the tongue;

the outer element comprises a cap forming the tapered cavity and the second lengthwise sub-slot, the cap configured for engaging the handle; and

the first and second sub-slots are configured to accommodate passage of a length of wire therethrough when the sub-slots are aligned to form the lengthwise slot, and wherein the tongue is configured to bias the wire against an inner surface of the tapered cavity when the cap engages the handle.