MEDICAL DEVICE FOR NAVIGATION THROUGH ANATOMY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

• US 20080021406A1
• Filed: 07/31/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• 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: NORTHROP, CLAY, LAYMAN, TED, BACKMAN, D., SNYDER, EDWARD, DAVIS, CLARK, JACOBSEN, STEPHEN, OLSON, KEVIN, TURNLUND, TODD
• Granted Patent: US 8,936,558 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.13
• 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 tubular member disposed over at least a portion of the core member, the tubular member having a plurality of slots formed therein; and

wherein the tubular member has a first end having a first outer diameter and a second end having a second outer diameter different from the first outer diameter.

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 tubular member includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the first end is disposed at a distal end of the tubular member and wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the core member includes a tapered region.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the tubular member is disposed over the tapered region of the core member.

7. The medical device of claim 6, wherein the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter, and wherein the first end of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to a first end of the tapered region and the second end of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to a second end of the tapered region.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the tapered region has a first outer diameter at the first end thereof and a second outer diameter at the second end thereof, and wherein the first outer diameter of the tapered region is larger than the second outer diameter of the tapered region.

9. A medical device, comprising:

a core member;

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

wherein the tubular member tapers so that the proximal end has a proximal outer diameter, the distal end has a distal outer diameter, and the proximal outer diameter is larger than the distal outer diameter.

10. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the tubular member includes a nickel-titanium alloy.

11. The medical device of claim 9, wherein the core member includes a tapered region.

12. The medical device of claim 11, wherein the tubular member is disposed over the tapered region of the core member.

13. The medical device of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the tapered region and the distal end of the tubular member is disposed adjacent to a distal end of the tapered region.

14. A method for manufacturing a medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a core member;

providing a tubular member, the tubular member having a plurality of slots formed therein;

wherein the tubular member has a first end having a first outer diameter and a second end having a second outer diameter different from the first outer diameter; and

disposing the tubular member over at least a portion of the core member.