Percutaneous guidewire

• US 9,968,761 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg SARL (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brecker, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): ABOUELELA, MAY A
• Application Number:
  US13/148,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,014 Days
• Field of Search: 600585, 600587, 600595
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09083 having a coil around a core
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0915 having features for changing the stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09025 with sliding mandrils

Abstract

A percutaneous guidewire comprising a distal end portion that is pre-formed in a curve that turns through more than 270 degrees. The stiffness of the guidewire may decrease continuously along the length of the curved distal end portion towards the tip of the guidewire and the radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion may also decrease towards the tip of the guidewire.

Claims

1. A percutaneous guidewire comprising:

a solid metal core wire; and

an outer casing surrounding the solid metal core wire, wherein the solid metal core wire includes a straight portion and a distal end portion that is pre-formed in a curve that turns through more than 360 degrees, the pre-formed curve being substantially in a single plane, wherein the straight portion and the distal end portion are a single wire,

wherein a stiffness of the solid metal core wire continuously decreases from a point on the straight portion along an entire length of the curved distal end portion towards a tip of the solid metal core wire, wherein the point on the straight portion is proximal of a transition of the solid metal core wire from the straight portion to the curve in the distal end portion, and

wherein a maximum diameter of the pre-formed curve of the curved distal end portion is at least 1 cm and no more than 3.5 cm.

2. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the pre-formed curve turns through at least 540 degrees.

3. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion of the solid metal core wire is resiliently deformable.

4. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein a rate at which the stiffness of the solid metal core wire decreases along the length of the curve is proportional to a radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion.

5. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein a rate of change of the stiffness of the solid metal core wire along the length of the curve is linear.

6. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the decrease in stiffness results from a reduction in a diameter of the solid metal core wire.

7. A guidewire according claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion decreases towards the tip of the solid metal core wire.

8. A guidewire according to claim 7, wherein a rate of change of the radius of curvature is non-linear.

9. A guidewire according to claim 8, wherein the rate of change of the radius of curvature decreases towards the tip of the solid metal core wire.

10. A guidewire according to claim 9, wherein the radius of curvature of the distal end portion is a logarithmic spiral.

11. A guidewire according claim 1, wherein the maximum diameter of the pre-formed curve of the curved distal end portion is at least 1 cm and no more than 2.5 cm.

12. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is a metal coil.

13. A guidewire according to claim 1, wherein the outer casing is a polymeric coating.

14. A guidewire according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the polymeric coating is hydrophilic.

15. A guidewire according to claim 14, wherein a proximal end portion of the solid metal core wire does not include a hydrophilic coating.

16. A guidewire according to claim 1, further comprising a rounded atraumatic tip.

17. A percutaneous guidewire comprising:

a solid metal core wire including,

a straight portion, and

a distal end portion that is continuous with the straight portion, wherein the distal end portion is pre-formed in a curve that turns through more than 360 degrees, the pre-formed curve being substantially in a single plane, and

an outer jacket surrounding the solid metal core wire, wherein a stiffness of the solid metal core wire continuously decreases along an entire length of the curved distal end portion towards a tip of the guidewire,

wherein a diameter of the solid metal core wire tapers along the length of the curved distal end portion,

wherein the taper begins proximal of a transition from the straight portion to the curve of the distal end portion, and wherein a maximum diameter of the pre-formed curve of the curved distal end portion is at least 1 cm and no more than 3.5 cm.

18. A guidewire according to claim 17, wherein a rate at which the stiffness of the solid metal core wire decreases along the length of the curve is proportional to a radius of curvature of the curved distal end.

19. A guidewire according to claim 17, wherein a rate of change of the stiffness of the solid metal core wire along the length of the curve is linear.

20. A guidewire according claim 17, wherein a radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion decreases at a non-linear rate towards a tip of the solid metal core wire.

21. A guidewire according to claim 20, wherein the radius of curvature of the distal end portion is a logarithmic spiral.