Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080200839 | DUAL STIFFNESS WIRE GUIDE - A composite wire guide is formed from a more flexible distal wire guide and stiffer proximal wire guide. The flexible and stiff wire guides are joined by a connector that is tapered to provide a smooth transition between the distal and proximal portions. In other embodiments, wire guides may be joined by a joining ring, which may have a cross-section that is uniform, stepped, or tapered. | 08-21-2008 |
20080214959 | Medical guide wire - In a guide wire ( | 09-04-2008 |
20080221482 | STEERABLE TIP FOR FLEXIBLE RODS - Various steerable tips may be used with flexible rods to move the tips through a wide assortment of cavities. In one embodiment, a steerable tip is constructed of a rigid tip body having a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of radially extending fins. Also, at least one of the fins defines a surface through which extends at least one through hole. Also, a proximal connector is operably coupled to the proximal end of the tip body, and the proximal connector is adapted to couple the tip body to a rod. A distal connector is operably coupled to the distal end of the tip body. This permits other accessories to be coupled to the tip. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221483 | Hand assisted laparoscopic seal assembly with a ratchet mechansim - A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The track includes an inner upstanding annular wall and an outer upstanding annular wall connected by a base member. A ratchet mechanism controls motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet arm oriented to engage a ratchet surface and the ratchet surface is positioned between the inner upstanding annular wall and the outer upstanding annular wall. | 09-11-2008 |
20080228108 | Composite Radiopaque Intracorporeal Product - The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal flexible member, such as a helical coil, which is formed with at least one highly radiopaque component and at least one high strength component. In a presently preferred embodiment, the highly radiopaque component is at least 10% and less than about 60% of the transverse cross-section of the flexible member, preferably at least 20% but less than 40%. The highly radiopaque component may be formed of radiopaque material such as platinum, gold, iridium and the like and the high strength component may be formed of a material such as tantalum, stainless steel, NiTi alloys, Co—Cr—Mo alloys and the like. | 09-18-2008 |
20080228109 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire includes a member with a core wire. The guide wire may have a marker-forming layer which partly encircles the outer surface of the member and differs in color from the member, and a coating layer which covers the marker-forming layer and the member at least in the region where the marker-forming layer is formed and has such transparency as to make the marker-forming layer visible. The marker-forming layer and the coating layer can be formed from mutually miscible resins, while the marker-forming layer functions as a visible marker. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234605 | Catheter Guide Wire - A catheter guidewire for facilitating introduction of a flexible catheter into the human body (e.g., into the bladder) has a proximal end having a first stiffness which is sufficient to facilitate guidance of a stiff plastic expansion sheath through the tissue. A distal end of the guide wire has a second stiffness, substantially less than the first stiffness, to avoid damage to internal walls of the bladder. Preferably, the guide wire incorporates an intermediate portion having a stiffness between the first stiffness value and the second stiffness value. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234606 | Guide Wire - A guide wire includes a wire body having a plate-shaped reshapeable section at a distal part thereof, wherein the reshapeable section is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof with a plurality of bent parts bent in opposite directions. At least one of the bent parts is more susceptible to plastic deformation than other parts of the reshapeable section. | 09-25-2008 |
20080249436 | Dynaflex - Utilizing the technology and methods disclosed, the characteristics of flexibility and rigidity for intralumenal devices, including coaxial two piece devices such as stylet and needle sets, can be adapted by the physician or device manufacturer according to the type of procedure, the patient size and unique anatomical challenges of a given procedure. Rigidity and flexibility can be actively controlled by the operator at predefined portions of a device through rotating the stylet within the cannula to bring about alignments of customized notches to impart target flexibility or rigidity profiles at specific spots on the device. The device operator may alter the relationship and orientation of specific notched and non-notched segments of either or both the stylet and cannula that are strategically located at said critical points along the length of the device. | 10-09-2008 |
20080255475 | GUIDEWIRE-ASSISTED CATHETER PLACEMENT SYSTEM - A catheter assembly for providing precise placement of a catheter distal end at a desired location within the patient vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly comprises a catheter including an elongate body that defines a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A guidewire is also included and is configured for being received within the lumen of the catheter and for guiding the catheter through the patient vasculature. The guidewire includes a plurality of depth markings along at least a portion of a length of the guidewire. The depth markings indicate a distance between a distal end of the guidewire and an insertion site through which the guidewire passes into the patient vasculature. The guidewire further includes a modified tip configured for assisting in guidewire advancement through the vasculature, and a proximal end orientation feature that indicates the orientation of the modified tip. | 10-16-2008 |
20080269641 | METHOD OF USING A GUIDEWIRE WITH STIFFENED DISTAL SECTION - A method of treating a vascular condition includes inserting at least one locally stiffened guidewire into a vessel, advancing a distal section of the guidewire to a position adjacent a treatment site and providing a stiffening portion of the distal section to a location adjacent the treatment site. The method further includes disposing a delivery catheter over the inserted guidewire, advancing a distal portion of the delivery catheter to the treatment site, the distal portion carrying at least one stent and deploying the stent at the treatment site. | 10-30-2008 |
20080281228 | Guidewire with adjustable stiffness - A method of adjusting the stiffness and size of a guidewire without full withdrawal of the guidewire from a patient's vascular system comprising providing a guidewire system comprising an inner member having a first outer diameter and a first stiffness, an outer member having a third larger diameter and a third stiffness, and a stiffener positioned between the inner and outer members and having a second outer diameter larger than the first diameter and smaller than the third diameter. The method includes selectively changing the relative positions of the members to alter the pushability and stiffness of the guidewire system. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281229 | Guidewire with adjustable stiffness - A medical guidewire system comprising a first inner member having a first outer diameter, a second intermediate member having a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter, and a third outer member having a third diameter larger than the second outer diameter of the second member. The second member has a longitudinal extending opening to receive the first member for sliding movement with respect to the first member and the third outer member has a longitudinally extending opening to receive the second member for sliding movement with respect to the first and second member. The first member has a first stiffness, the third member has a third stiffness greater than the first stiffness, and the second member is movable to stiffen the guidewire system. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281230 | Guide Wire - A guide wire includes a wire body having a core wire and a resin coating layer covering an outer periphery of a distal section of the wire body, and an annular member provided on the proximal side of the resin coating layer. The outer diameter of the distal end of the annular member and the outer diameter of the proximal end of the resin coating layer are preferably equal, and a distal end face of the annular member is joined to a proximal end face of the resin coating layer. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281231 | Method for manufacturing a complex structure - A method for manufacturing a complex structure from a two-dimensional layout, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a support plate having a pre-determined, patterned recess formed in a surface thereof; (b) depositing a first series of individual flexible interconnects into the recess, the flexible interconnects being aligned parallel to one another in a common plane and supported by the support plate; (c) adhering, with adhering means, at least one rigid member to each of the flexible interconnects of the first series; (d) adhering, with adhering means, a second series of individual flexible interconnects to the rigid members to form a plurality of stations, wherein each of the second series of flexible interconnects is adhered to two rigid members of adjacent flexible interconnects of the first series, the flexible interconnects of the second series being formed perpendicular to the flexible interconnects of the first series; (e) curing the adhering means to form an assembled, layered structure; (f) removing the layered structure from the support plate; and (g) folding, systematically, the layered structure on itself and causing at least some of the stations to be supported about a central spine in a segmented manner. | 11-13-2008 |
20080312558 | FLEXIBLE CONDUIT INSERTION MEDICAL DEVICE - A flexible conduit insertion medical device includes a flexible medical device conduit and an insertion mechanism. The flexible medical device conduit includes an elongated framework formed from a flexible material (e.g., Nitinol) with a body portion, sharp head, distal end and proximal end. The flexible medical device conduit also includes a flexible tube at least partially jacketing the elongated framework between the distal end and the proximal end. Moreover, the sharp head is disposed at the distal end and is configured for subcutaneous skin insertion and the elongated framework and flexible tube define at least one conduit between the elongated framework and the flexible tube, the conduit having an opening at the distal end. The insertion mechanism is operatively connected to the flexible medical device conduit and configured to insert a portion of the flexible medical device conduit, including at least the sharp head and the opening, into a user's skin target site. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319348 | DIAGNOSIS CATHETER FOR INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS - Provided is a diagnosis catheter | 12-25-2008 |
20090005706 | Medical guide wire - A medical guide wire | 01-01-2009 |
20090012429 | CATHETER GUIDEWIRE SYSTEM USING CONCENTRIC WIRES - A catheterization guidewire system provides a first wire for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel. The first wire may include a lumen running from one end to the other, and a handle adjacent the proximal end for manipulation of the first wire about and along a central axis. A second wire may be inserted in the blood vessel over the first wire, and may have a handle adjacent a proximal end. With the first and second wires coupled together, either of the handles of the first and second wires may be used to manipulate both wires. The wires may be manipulated relative to one another by simultaneous use of both handles. The first wire may have a rigidity selected to allow crossing of a bifurcation in the blood vessel. A third wire, which may also have a handle, may be inserted in the blood vessel over the second wire. A catheter for insertion over at least one of the first, second, and third wires may be provided with a balloon and a stent placement apparatus. | 01-08-2009 |
20090043228 | LASER SHOCK PEENING OF MEDICAL DEVICES - A laser shock peening process for producing one or more compressive residual stress regions in a medical device is disclosed. A high-energy laser apparatus can be utilized to direct an intense laser beam through a confining medium and onto the target surface of a workpiece. An absorption overlay disposed on the target surface of the workpiece absorbs the laser beam, inducing a pressure shock wave that forms a compressive residual stress region deep within the workpiece. Medical devices such as stents, guidewires, catheters, and the like having one or more of these compressive residual stress regions are also disclosed. | 02-12-2009 |
20090048537 | Lubricious coatings - Medical devices can include a lubricious coating that is slippery when wet. | 02-19-2009 |
20090076416 | Guidewire with Adjustable Core - A movable-core guidewire including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a proximal hollow tube. The distal portion includes a coil coupled to the proximal hollow tube and an elastomeric distal tube disposed within the coil. A core wire is disposed within the hypotube. The core wire is movable between a distal position wherein a portion of the core wire is disposed in the distal tube and a proximal portion wherein the core wire is removed from the distal tube. A method is also disclosed for advancing the guidewire to the treatment site. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076417 | Glide Clip - The present invention includes a self-tensioning apparatus for controlling the advancement and rotation of a surgical guideware comprising a torsion spring comprising one or more torsion spring handles; one or more arms connected to the torsion spring and one or more elastomeric guideware grippers, wherein compression of the one or more torsion spring handles reduced the compression between the one or more elastomeric grippers and the guideware; and an elongated, hollow housing comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the housing surrounds the spring tension metal clip comprising two or more opposing flexible pads positioned adjacent the spring tension handles that allow compression of the spring tension handles, the housing comprising a guideware guiding groove that extends from the first to the second end of the housing, wherein the one or more elastomeric guideware-grippers are aligned with and are positioned about the groove, wherein the one or more elastomeric grippers contact and grip the guideware in the groove when the one or more spring tension handles are not engaged, but release variably as the user compresses the flexible pads on the housing. | 03-19-2009 |
20090112126 | STEPPED GUIDEWIRE WITH SHIM - A medical guidewire ( | 04-30-2009 |
20090112127 | NITINOL GUIDEWIRE - A medical guidewire ( | 04-30-2009 |
20090112128 | MULTI-STRANDED TRACKABLE GUIDEWIRE - A trackable guidewire is presented. The guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, where the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength. A guidewire assembly is also presented, where the guidewire assembly includes a guidewire, where the guidewire includes a plurality of wires arranged in a predetermined pattern to form a body of the guidewire, and the plurality of wires is configured to simultaneously provide electrical conductivity of signals and mechanical strength, and one or more sensing devices, where the one or more sensing devices are operatively coupled to the guidewire. Methods of making the guidewire and the guidewire assembly are also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique. | 04-30-2009 |
20090118643 | Sensor and Guide Wire Assembly - The invention relates to a sensor and guide wire assembly ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090118644 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR CROSSING AN OCCLUSION IN A VESSEL - The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes an elongated core member including an outer surface, an intermediate member disposed about at least a portion of the outer surface of the core member, and a coil disposed about at least a portion of the intermediate member in the distal region. At least a portion of an outer surface of the coil can include an undulating surface in a portion of the distal region. | 05-07-2009 |
20090118645 | Guide wire for catheter - A guide wire ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090124934 | GUIDEWIRE TORQUE DEVICE - In accordance with the present invention there is provided a guidewire torquing device configured to be readily attachable and detachable from a guidewire. | 05-14-2009 |
20090131831 | Variable Stiffness Guidewire Systems - A variable stiffness guidewire comprises a outer body including a plurality of coil windings that are oriented in a first direction. The outer body has a proximal end and a distal end and a hollow interior therebetween. A tension element is positioned within the hollow interior and has first and second opposed ends, wherein the second end is coupled to the distal end of the outer body. The tension element includes a plurality coil windings that are oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The tension element is configured to be pulled in a direction away from the distal end of the outer body to increase a stiffness in at least a portion of the guidewire. | 05-21-2009 |
20090137932 | HEART TRACKING DEVICE - A vessel tracking device for use with a pressure source has an elongate introduction element configured for introduction into a vessel of a human body, the introduction element having a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end having a flexible distal end portion containing an internal cavity that is closed at the distal end. A pressure adjuster is configured for communication with said pressure source. The introduction element has a connection channel connected to the pressure adjuster at the proximal end of the introduction element, the connection channel being connected with the internal cavity and placing the internal cavity in communication with the pressure source, with the pressure adjuster controlling an internal pressure in the internal cavity. The distal end portion has different wall portions that are differently deformed as the internal pressure is adjusted, to produce a change in direction of the distal end controlled by the pressure controller. | 05-28-2009 |
20090143702 | Non-metallic guide wire - A guide wire having a non-metallic, non-woven core wire is disclosed. Monofilar, polymeric fibers of multifilar helically-wound non-metallic fibers are preferred core wire materials. The guide wire optionally includes further coatings and other materials on the core wire. In one embodiment, a non-metallic distal coil wire is disclosed. The guide wire of this invention is particularly useable for magnetic resonance imaging applications. | 06-04-2009 |
20090149777 | High performance coil wire - A high performance coil over-core guide wire. The guide wire incorporates a nickel-titanium core with a stainless steel coil to provide a wire with improved kink resistance and good pushability. | 06-11-2009 |
20090171247 | MEDICAL DEVICE FOR INSERTION INTO THE HUMAN BODY, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A medical device for insertion into the human body has improved sliding characteristics. The medical device for insertion into the human body includes a substrate having given shape, and an agent for improving the sliding characteristics having a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, and coating the hydrophobic surface. | 07-02-2009 |
20090177119 | ARTICULATING INTRACORPOREAL MEDICAL DEVICE - Guidewires and design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for the same. An example method for advancing a guidewire to a target site in the anatomy of a patient may include providing the guidewire and advancing the guidewire through a blood vessel to a position adjacent the target site. Advancing the guidewire through a blood vessel may include disposing the hinge portion across a bifurcation in the blood vessel. The guidewire may have a proximal end and a distal end. The guidewire may include an elongate tubular member including a proximal portion, a distal portion extending to the distal end of the guidewire, and a hinge portion disposed between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The proximal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein and a first lateral flexibility. The distal portion may have a plurality of slots formed therein and a second lateral flexibility. The hinge portion may have plurality of slots formed therein and a third lateral flexibility that is greater than both the first lateral flexibility and the second lateral flexibility. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177120 | CORONARY VEIN NAVIGATOR - A system and method for navigating coronary vasculature involves use of a guide catheter system which includes a guide catheter, a navigator catheter longitudinally displaceable within the guide catheter, and a deflection arrangement provided at a distal end of the navigator catheter. The guide catheter is advanced to at least a patient's coronary sinus ostium, and the navigator catheter is extended from the guide catheter to a location proximate or within an angled vein distal to the coronary sinus ostium. Using the deflection arrangement, a guide wire passing through the navigation catheter is directed into the angled vein. A lead having an open lumen is advanced over the guide wire to direct the lead to an implant site within the angled vein. | 07-09-2009 |
20090192412 | SENSOR MOUNTED FLEXIBLE GUIDEWIRE - A flexible guidewire comprising a hollow tube, having a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section having a distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal section gradually decreasing toward the distal tip, the outer diameter of the distal tip being larger than the smallest outer diameter of the distal section, the flexible guidewire further comprising a plug coupled with the distal tip of the hollow tube for creating a non-traumatic tip, and the flexible guidewire further comprising a tubular spring, being place around the distal section of the hollow tube for maintaining the outer diameter of the hollow tube over the length thereof and for supporting compressive loads. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192413 | GUIDEWIRE INTERCONNECTING APPARATUS - A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198153 | Steering, piercing, anchoring, distending extravascular guidewire - A steerable guidewire assembly for intravascular and extravascular movement includes a flexible tube with a distal and proximal end and a lumen therebetween with the distal end being biased to assume a curved shape, a stylet wire disposed in the lumen that can be advanced beyond the distal end of the flexible tube to create an extravascular pathway by piercing tissue, a wire with a shape memory of a knot to replace the stylet wire and anchor the guidewire and/or the wire on the pathway, multiple flexible tubes of increasing diameter that distend the extravascular pathway when advanced over each other, radiopaque and radiodense materials to create distinguishable dark and bright images on fluoro-unit screens, and mechanisms for conveniently controlling movement from outside the body are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090221935 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side of the guide wire and a second wire disposed on the proximal side. The second wire has an elastic modulus larger than the first wire. The first wire is joined to the second wire at a welded portion by welding. A coil is disposed on the distal side of the first wire. A cover layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wire member in such a manner as to cover at least the welded portion. The cover layer is made from a material capable of reducing the friction of the cover layer, for example, a fluorocarbon resin or a hydrophilic material, to thereby improve the sliding performance of the guide wire. Such a guide wire is excellent in operationality and kink resistance. | 09-03-2009 |
20090227901 | CATHETER GUIDEWIRE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A catheter guidewire ( | 09-10-2009 |
20090234247 | Medical Appliance Having Polyimide Film and Method for Manufacture Thereof - Provided is a medical appliance excellent in slidability and durability. A medical appliance comprising a base material, a polyimide film (A) and a polymer film (B) having a higher nitrogen content and/or a higher oxygen content than respective contents of the polyimide film (A). The appliance has the polymer film (B) on a part or the whole of the surface of the base material, and has the polyimide film (A) on the polymer film (B). | 09-17-2009 |
20090254000 | MICROMACHINED COMPOSITE GUIDEWIRE STRUCTURE WITH ANISOTROPIC BENDING PROPERTIES - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate core member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may include a distal end and a flattened region. The flattened region may be disposed proximally of the distal end. The flattened region may have a height and a width. The width may be twice or more as large as the height. A tubular member may be disposed over the distal portion. The tubular member may have a plurality of slots formed therein. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254001 | Variable Stiffness Guidewire Systems - A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a guidewire head coupled to the body. The guidewire head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar of the body to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. A tool is utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. The tool has a first mechanism that is configured to selectively deploy an insert to be positioned between the guidewire head and the guidewire collar. The insert maintains the desired stiffness of the guidewire. | 10-08-2009 |
20090275862 | GUIDEWIRE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for making a guidewire is provided. The method comprises removing material from a distal portion of a core wire to define a distal tip extending from a proximal portion of the core wire. A collar is positioned adjacent to the distal tip about the proximal portion. | 11-05-2009 |
20090287118 | FUNCTIONAL DISCOGRAPHY CATHETER - Catheter devices for diagnosing and treating discogenic pain are provided. The catheter devices comprise a tubular body configured for insertion into an intervertebral disc and a pressure measuring device disposed along the length of the tubular body, the pressure measuring device configured to measure the pressure within the intervertebral disc. The catheter devices are capable of measuring the pressure within an intervertebral disc of a subject while the subject is moving. | 11-19-2009 |
20090292225 | MEDICAL DEVICE INCLUDING A BRAID FOR CROSSING AN OCCLUSION IN A VESSEL - The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical guidewire includes an elongate core member including a proximal region and a distal region, a braid member disposed about at least a portion of the distal region of the elongate core member, a polymer member disposed between at least a portion of the elongate core member and the braid member, and a polymer sleeve member disposed about at least a portion of the braid member. The proximal region of the core member is free of the braid member. | 11-26-2009 |
20090306546 | Kink-Resistant Guidewire Having Increased Column Strength - A guidewire a distal end and a proximal end, and a core wire having an inner core and an outer layer surrounding at least a portion of the inner core, the outer layer being tapered along the distal end of the guidewire, wherein one of the inner core and the outer layer is formed from at least one kink-resistant material and the other of the inner core and the outer layer is formed from at least one high column strength material. | 12-10-2009 |
20090306547 | STEPWISE ADVANCEMENT OF A MEDICAL TOOL - Apparatus is provided, including a sensor for sensing a phase of cyclic activity of a subject's body system. A tool modulator includes a gate configured:
| 12-10-2009 |
20090312670 | Wire guide having a rib for coil attachment - The present invention generally relates to a medical surgical device and specifically a wire guide for percutaneous placement within a body cavity. In one embodiment, the wire guide includes an elongated core member having a proximal stop and a distal stop and a rib positioned between the proximal stop and the distal stop. A first coil is positioned over the elongated core member and extends between the proximal stop and the rib. A second coil is positioned over the elongated core member and extends between the rib and the distal stop. | 12-17-2009 |
20090318835 | STEERABLE GUIDE WIRE WITH TORSIONALLY STABLE TIP - A steerable guide wire includes a core wire having a proximal end and a distal end. A braided filament is affixed to the distal end of the core wire. An outer coil surrounds at least a portion of the core wire and the braided filament. A proximal end of the braided filament is secured to a distal end of the coil. By locating the braided filament in the distal tip portion of the guide wire, a guide wire is provided that is highly flexible, has a high degree of tensile integrity, and is highly steerable, even in tortuous vasculature. Filter and balloon catheters having braided filaments at the distal end are also described. | 12-24-2009 |
20100004561 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire is comprised of a flexible elongate wire body. The wire body has a plurality of protruding portions n the external surface and recessed portions between the adjacent protruding portions. The protruding portions possess a friction coefficient smaller than that of the recessed portions. | 01-07-2010 |
20100004562 | COMPOSITE GUIDEWIRE WITHDRAWN AND FILLED TUBE CONSTRUCTION - The present invention is directed to an intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire, and method for making the device. The guidewire of the present invention is formed, at least in part, of a composite elongate core formed, at least in part, of precipitation hardened material. The elongate core members of the present invention will have an ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity greater than the same for an identically dimensioned elongate member formed from superelastic NITINOL alone. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010376 | Guide wire loading method and apparatus - A device for loading a guide wire into the open end of a tubular instrument such as a catheter. The device can be a block of material having a groove in its surface. The ends of the guide wire and the tubular instrument are placed into the groove and moved toward each other. When the ends meet, the groove guides the guide wire into the open end of the tubular instrument. The groove, or at least a portion of the groove, can have a cross-sectional contour that closely matches the outside radius of the tubular instrument. The groove can have one portion with a shallower depth than the other portion, with the guide wire run in the shallower portion and the tubular instrument in the deeper portion. The guide wire and the tubular instrument can be angled above the device, with just their ends moving along the groove. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010377 | GUIDE WIRE LOADING METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH TOWEL ATTACHMENT MECHANISM - A device for loading a guide wire into the open end of a tubular instrument, such as a catheter. The device can be a block of material having a groove in its surface. The ends of the guide wire and the tubular instrument are placed into the groove and moved toward each other. When the ends meet, the groove guides the guide wire into the open end of the tubular instrument. The groove, or at least a portion of the groove, can have a cross-sectional contour that closely matches the outside radius of the tubular instrument. The groove can have a substantially vertical wall and a substantially non-vertical wall. A variety of attachment mechanisms may be provided for attaching the device to a towel draping a patient. | 01-14-2010 |
20100022917 | Surgical Guide Wire Placement and Removal Tool - A guide wire placement and removal tool is provided that includes a handle mounted to a shaft connected to a wire engagement mechanism disposed opposite the handle. The mechanism includes a housing aligned with the shaft to enable the wire to pass therethrough, and a moveable engagement member biased into a locking position within the housing to engage a wire positioned therein. The mechanism also includes a release member that can be selectively engaged with the engagement member to disengage the engagement member from the wire to allow the wire to move with regard to the tool. Once the release member is released, the engagement member is biased back into a locking engagement with the wire to securely hold the wire within the tool. | 01-28-2010 |
20100030112 | SHAPE IMPARTING MECHANISM INSERTION - A shape imparting mechanism ( | 02-04-2010 |
20100030113 | Paranasal Ostium Finder Devices and Methods - Devices and methods for locating sinus ostia and positioning a guide wire within the sinus ostia. The subject devices comprise a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, a curved region located between the distal and proximal ends, and an interior channel, an extensible and retractable guide wire movably mounted within the interior channel and a probe tip joined to the guide wire. Certain devices further include expandable portions for engaging and treating body anatomy. | 02-04-2010 |
20100030114 | Deflectable Variable Radius Catheters - The invention provides a deflectable catheter capable of forming many variable radius spiral forms from a single, flexible, distal end section. In one aspect, the catheter employs a variable radius control wire to extend or deform a pre-formed loop structure into a three dimensional spiral-like form or geometry. The ability of a single catheter to create a multitude of shapes and sizes allows users to access to a number of anatomical areas without changing the catheter during a procedure or treatment. In another aspect, the invention encompasses methods of producing deflectable variable radius catheters, where two or more regions of the catheter having common control wires are fused or formed onto one another. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036284 | Guide-Wire and Guiding Insert Placement Assembly for Over-the-Wire Catheter Placement and Method of Use - A guiding insert assembly is disclosed that has electromagnetic-radiation-elements at each of its ends. A guiding insert having these elements is suitable for use in conjunction with known equipment in the process of locating the distal end of the guiding insert being placed into a patient. The proximally located element of the guiding insert can be used instead of a connector for contact-less coupling of the guiding insert and the location determining equipment, using an inductive coupler, so as to couple signal to and from the guiding insert during the location process. The coupling device preferably includes an insert retention arrangement, a guiding insert identification means and an end of travel detector. The placement of a catheter over the guiding insert either after placement or at the time of placement is possible. | 02-11-2010 |
20100056955 | CONVERTIBLE GUIDEWIRE SYSTEM AND METHODS - A guidewire converter for use in intravascular procedures along with a guidewire. The guidewire converter includes an elongate tubular structure defining a lumen having an inner diameter and a first outer diameter. The inner diameter of the lumen is sized to receive the guidewire for intravascular procedures. The guidewire converter includes a locking mechanism coupled to the elongate tubular structure that has a second outer diameter that is less than or substantially equal to the first outer diameter. Operation of the locking mechanism releasably secures the elongate tubular structure to the guidewire. | 03-04-2010 |
20100069794 | Guide Wire with Core and Distal Sheathing - A guide wire includes a core which extends from a proximal to a distal end of the guide wire. The core is designed as a single part or from multiple longitudinal sections adjoining one another, and includes a distal cladding which surrounds the core in a distal section and is made from a polyurethane material or another soft-flexible plastic material. The core, in a section adjoining the distal section which is surrounded by the soft-flexible distal cladding, is unclad or is surrounded by a connection cladding which is stiffer than the distal cladding and is in the form of a helical spring or in the form of a tube, made of polytetrafluoroethylene or another plastic material with a similar stiffness, which contacts and surrounds the core, with the tube having an enlargement at its distal end, by which it surrounds a diameter-reduced proximal end region of the distal cladding and terminates, substantially flush in terms of the external diameter, on an annular shoulder of the distal cladding. By way of example, it is used for medical catheter instruments. | 03-18-2010 |
20100087755 | MEDICAL/SURGICAL TOOL FOR BOTH IDENTIFYING SUBCUTANEOUS TARGET TISSUE BY MEANS OF EMITTING AN INTERROGATION SIGNAL AND POSITIONING A CATHETER AT THE TARGET | 04-08-2010 |
20100100009 | Device Having a Hydrophilic Coating Comprising P-Toluene-Sulfonamide and a Method for the Preparation Thereof - The present invention provides a medical device having a substrate polymer surface carrying thereon a hydrophilic coating comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer and p-toluenesulfonamide, and a method for the preparation thereof. | 04-22-2010 |
20100168619 | COMBINATION WIRE GUIDE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF - The present embodiments generally relate to a medical surgical device and specifically a wire guide for percutaneous placement within a body cavity. The wire guide includes a multi-filar coil having an increasing pitch towards the distal end of the wire guide. Methods of using the device are also provided. | 07-01-2010 |
20100191150 | Guidewire - A guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191151 | BIPOLAR ELECTRODE TYPE GUIDE WIRE AND CATHETER SYSTEM - Provided are a guide wire and a catheter system. The catheter system includes a hollow catheter inserted into a fistula of a living body, the catheter having two open ends and a coaxially-formed lumen; and a bipolar electrode type guide wire including a wire body formed of a metal and elongated to be inserted into the catheter in one direction, an insulating material coated on an outer periphery of the wire body to insulate the wire, a first electrode attached to one end of the wire body, a second electrode spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first electrode, a first lead elongated along the wire body to be attached to the first electrode to electrically connect a radio-frequency generator for generating radio-frequency current to the first electrode, and a second lead elongated along the wire body to be attached to the second electrode to electrically connect the radio-frequency generator to the second electrode, the second lead being electrically insulated from the first lead. | 07-29-2010 |
20100191152 | Side Loading Wire Torquing Device - A side loading, wire torquing device includes a body portion having a channel in which a wire is fitted. In one embodiment, a slider is movable along the channel to secure the wire between the slider and the fixed surface in the channel such that rotation of the torquing device rotates the wire therein. In another embodiment of the invention, the torquing device includes a bottom and top section folded over a wire. In another embodiment, the channels impart a bend to the wire to increase the effective torque that can be applied to the wire by rotating the device. In yet another embodiment, the torquing device has a tapered shape and includes a ring that is slideable over the device to compress a wire in a channel. In all embodiments, the torquing device may include a clip to secure several looped coils of wire when not in use. | 07-29-2010 |
20100204613 | Method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire - A method and apparatus for manipulating a surgical guidewire. The apparatus comprises a chuck for selectively coupling motive force to a surgical guidewire and an actuator, coupled to the chuck, for imparting an axial motive force to the chuck. Embodiments of the invention further comprise a method of using the apparatus. | 08-12-2010 |
20100228150 | NEURO GUIDEWIRE - A guide wire having dual coil on core configuration. The guide wire has a core wire with distal and proximal ends or segments wherein two coils are tandomly disposed on its distal end. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228151 | MULTI-STIFFNESS GUIDEWIRE - The invention relates to an active oscillating guidewire ( | 09-09-2010 |
20100228152 | Catheter for conducting a procedure within a lumen, duct or organ of a living being - In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire. | 09-09-2010 |
20100249654 | WIRE GUIDE - The present invention provides a wire guide ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100249655 | Tip-Shapeable Guidewire - A guidewire for partial placement within a body of a patient is disclosed. The guidewire is employed to assist in the insertion of a medical device into the body, such as the placement of a catheter into the patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, the guidewire defines an elongate body that includes a distal segment. The distal segment includes a shape memory material that enables at least a portion of the distal segment to be deformed by a user prior to placement of the guidewire in the body of the patient. The shape memory material enables the guidewire to maintain the deformation of the distal segment portion after being deformed by the user. | 09-30-2010 |
20100249656 | Variable Stiffness Guidewire Systems - A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness. | 09-30-2010 |
20100262040 | MALE CONNECTOR - A male connector for a sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body, and a method for producing said male connector. The male connector comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive members, extending at least partially along the length of the male connector, and a plurality of conductive areas separated from each other by insulating areas, disposed along the male connector, wherein each of the conductive members are connected to a respective conductive area. The conductive members and the conductive and insulating areas are formed on a planar sheet of thin flexible insulating material, and the conductive members are provided on one surface of the sheet and the conductive areas are provided on the other surface of the sheet, wherein said planar sheet is adapted to be formed into said male connector such that said conductive member being arranged at the inner surface, and that said conductive and insulating areas being arranged at the outer surface of the male connector. | 10-14-2010 |
20100262041 | SENSOR GUIDE WIRE - Sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of a physiological variable in a living body, comprising a core wire running along at least a part of the sensor guide wire and a sensor element arranged in a jacket in a sensor region of the sensor guide wire. The jacket is tubular and is provided with a jacket wall and a portion of the core wire that extends longitudinally along the sensor region forms part of the wall of the jacket, in order to provide more space in the jacket. | 10-14-2010 |
20100274158 | GUIDE WIRE LOADING METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH TOWEL ATTACHMENT MECHANISM AND RETAINING MEMBER - A device for loading a guide wire into the open end of a tubular instrument, such as a catheter. The device can be a block of material having a groove in its surface. The ends of the guide wire and the tubular instrument are placed into the groove and moved toward each other. When the ends meet, the groove guides the guide wire into the open end of the tubular instrument. The groove, or at least a portion of the groove, can have a cross-sectional contour that closely matches the outside radius of the tubular instrument. The groove can have a substantially vertical wall and a substantially non-vertical wall. A variety of attachment mechanisms may be provided for attaching the device to a towel draping a patient. A retaining member is disposed on the surface of the device for retaining a guide wire or tubular instrument against movement. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280415 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CONTROLLED TORQUE TRANSMISSION - A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop. | 11-04-2010 |
20100286565 | Guidewires twist releasing device - To provide a means capable easily releasing twist of two or more guidewires passed through a guiding catheter without pulling out the guidewires. A twist releasing apparatus has a shaft, a first tube formed at the tip of the shaft and has a first lumen through which two or more guidewires can be passed, a second tube disposed through a gap at the tip side in the axis direction relative to the first tube and has a second lumen through the two or more guidewires can be passed, and a connection portion for connecting the first tube and the second tube so that the two or more guidewires can be passed through the first lumen and the second lumen. The second tube has a slit that is formed in an axis direction and can be elastically deformed. The connection portion can be elastically deformed into a curved shape in the axis direction. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286566 | MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING SEGMENTED CONSTRUCTION - A medical device having a segmented construction. In at least some embodiments, a medical device including a plurality of conductive elongated members that are of such a length and are connected together in such a manner to impart a degree of MRI compatibility to the device. In some embodiments, the elongated members can include a series of solid elongate members and tubular elongate members, which construction provides one way to control at least some properties of the device, for example, stiffness, torque transmission, flexibility, shape retention, and the like. In yet some additional embodiments, at least one of the elongated members has a recess into which a protrusion of another elongated member may fit. | 11-11-2010 |
20100292613 | Concentric Guidewire Assembly - A concentric guidewire assembly includes a unitary first coil spring, a second coil spring joined to the first coil spring, and a core wire extending through the first and second coil springs. The first coil spring has a longitudinal axis, a first spring portion, a second diameter spring portion adjacent the first spring portion, and a third spring portion adjacent the second spring portion, the inner diameter of the second spring portion being smaller than the inner diameters of the first and third spring portions to fit with the core wire and maintain concentricity between the first coil spring and the core wire. The second coil spring has an inner diameter sized to receive the third spring portion. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292614 | MEDICAL SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR COUPLING WIRE GUIDES - Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for coupling a wire guide to a previously introduced wire guide in intracorporeal procedures, and generally include a supplemental wire guide and a tracking element. The tracking element defines a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway is sized to receive the previously introduced wire guide and the second passageway is sized to receive the supplemental wire guide. The supplemental wire guide is attached to the tracking element in a coupled configuration and detached from the tracking element in a decoupled configuration for independent translation of the supplemental wire guide. | 11-18-2010 |
20100305474 | APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING A WIRE GUIDE - An apparatus for dispensing a wire guide into a body vessel of a patient includes a first apparatus half and a second apparatus half. Each of the apparatus halves has an interior surface, wherein each of the halves is structured and aligned for joinder with the other half along the respective interior surfaces. Upon joinder of the apparatus halves, the resulting apparatus defines a generally spiral-shaped interior wire guide pathway, a wire guide opening generally tangential to the interior pathway, a guideway for receiving an end of the wire guide from the opening, a first port communicating with the pathway, and a second port communicating with the first port. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305475 | Guidewire with adjustable stiffness - A medical guidewire system including an inner member having an outer diameter and an outer member having an inner diameter, the inner diameter being larger than the outer diameter. The inner and outer members are relatively slidable to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire system. The lumen of the outer member forms a gap for fluid flow therethrough. A connector has a first end portion connected to the outer member, a second end portion connected to the inner member and a fluid infusion channel communicating with the gap for injection of fluid through the gap to exit a distal portion of the outer member. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305476 | GUIDEWIRE SENSOR DEVICE AND SYSTEM - The present invention provides a guidewire device for determining or measuring biological, physical or topographical data at a site within a lumen duct or pipe in medical and non-medical applications. Guidewire device | 12-02-2010 |
20100305477 | Controllable stiffness catheter guide device - The invention relates to a guide device ( | 12-02-2010 |
20100318000 | SENSOR GUIDE WIRE - The present invention relates to a sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body, having a proximal shaft region, a flexible region and a distal sensor region. The sensor guide wire comprises, a sensor element provided in the sensor region, for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to said variable, a signal transmitting micro cable connected to the sensor element, and running along the sensor guide wire to the shaft region. The guide wire consists of, at least along the length of the flexible region, a guide wire tube that encloses the signal transmitting micro cable. | 12-16-2010 |
20100318001 | MEDICAL GUIDEWIRE - Provided is a guidewire including a core shaft, an outer flexible tube, and an inner flexible tube that surrounds a distal end portion of the core shaft. The inner flexible tube is disposed in the outer flexible tube so that a distal end thereof is positioned between the distal end of the core shaft and a proximal end of the core shaft so as to be separated from the core shaft. A first joint is formed so as to join the distal end of the inner flexible tube to the core shaft. At least one second joint is formed so as to join the outer flexible tube to the inner flexible tube. The at least one second joint is positioned between the first joint and the proximal end of the core shaft. | 12-16-2010 |
20100331732 | Guide Wire Advancer Assembly and Methods for Advancing a Guide Wire - A guide wire advancer ( | 12-30-2010 |
20110021951 | Guide Wire with Marking Pattern - A guide wire for a medical instrument, such as an endoscope, has a marking pattern, which extends at least across part of the axial length of the guide wire and includes markings of different marking types that can be sensed. On the guide wire, markings of first and second marking types are formed by marking surfaces, of which the marking surfaces of at least the first marking type each extend across only part of the circumferential surface of the guide wire and across only part of the axial length of the marking pattern, and in the axial direction of the guide wire follow each other at a distance by at least one interposed marking surface of the second marking type. At least one longitudinal marking strip is formed as a marking of a third marking type, which extends continuously across the axial length of the marking pattern. | 01-27-2011 |
20110054351 | HIGH-MODULUS SUPERELASTIC ALLOY WIRE FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL PURPOSES - A wire used in the medical field for guiding purposes, as well as in other fields, such as in the field of orthodontics for teeth aligning purposes. The wire, when prepared for use in such applications, exhibits an innovative blend of advantageous properties, including enhanced kink resistance over stainless steel wires and enhanced stiffness over Nitinol wires, which enhance its use as a medical guidewire or stylet, and further, as an arch wire in orthodontia applications. | 03-03-2011 |
20110071435 | Method and System for Coupling an Extension Wire to a Guidewire - A method and a system using a helicoidal structure wound out of a plurality of metallic wires into a universal connector for reversibly coupling a distal end portion of an extension wire to a proximal end portion of a guide wire. The universal connector is configured for receiving the proximal end portion of the guide wire into the connector lumen and is made as a single-piece unit built to sustain increased separation forces tending to disconnect the extension wire from the guide wire. The universal connector accommodates coupling to different configurations of commercially available guide wire proximal terminations. | 03-24-2011 |
20110098601 | MEDICAL DEVICE ASSEMBLY HAVING FREEDOM OF ROTATION - A method of performing a surgical procedure using an electrical surgical device, which utilizes an electrical surgical assembly including the surgical device connected to a base station by a cable having a plurality of mutually electrically insulated conductors, and an electrical adapter interposed at a point between the base station and the device. The adapter is comprised of a first half and a second half that have freedom of rotation relative to each other. The first half is equipped with a first connector-half and the second half is equipped with a second connector-half. While the surgical procedure is performed, the adapter permits relative rotation between the first half and the second half, thereby avoiding a problem of cable twisting. | 04-28-2011 |
20110105954 | REMOTELY CONTROLLED CATHETER INSERTION SYSTEM - A system for remotely controlling the positioning within the body of a patient of an elongated medical device optionally having a control handle, comprises a robotic system and a remote controller configured to control the robotic device. The robotic system comprises a handle controller; a sled member coupled to the handle controller, the sled member being configured to position the medical device within the body of the patient; and a sled base configured to advance the sled member towards the body of a patient, the sled bed being coupled to a sterile barrier effective to maintain sterility inside the sled base. A medical device introducer is effective to guide the elongated medical device into a patient's body. | 05-05-2011 |
20110118628 | GUIDEWIRES INCLUDING A POROUS NICKEL-TITANIUM ALLOY - Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include a guidewire. The guidewire may include an elongate shaft. The shaft may include a porous metal alloy. The porous metal alloy may be arranged so that the porous metal alloy has a first pore distribution along a first portion of the shaft and a second pore distribution different from the first pore distribution along a second portion of the shaft. | 05-19-2011 |
20110144538 | GUIDEWIRE - Provided is a guidewire effectively usable for a retrograde approach. A guidewire has a body portion, and a first tip portion and a second tip portion provided at ends of the body portion. Flexural stiffnesses of the first tip portion and the second tip portion increase in a continuous or stepwise manner from the respective tips of the first and second tip portions toward the body portion. The flexural stiffness of the first tip portion is not smaller in value than the flexural stiffness of the second tip portion in first distance ranges from the respective tips of the first and second tip portions toward the body portion. The flexural stiffness of the first tip portion is smaller in value than the flexural stiffness of the second tip portion in second distance ranges beyond the respective first distance ranges of the first and second tip portions toward the body portion. | 06-16-2011 |
20110152721 | SENSOR MOUNTED FLEXIBLE GUIDEWIRE - A medical device comprising a corewire, sensor core, and coupler is presented. A portion of the corewire is disposed within a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core is disposed within a second end. Alternatively, the device comprises a corewire and a sensor assembly comprising a sensor core having first and second ends and a bore in the first end. A portion of the corewire is disposed within the bore. A method of manufacture comprises providing a corewire, sensor core, and coupler. The method further comprises inserting a portion of the corewire into a first end of the coupler, and a portion of the sensor core into a second end. Alternatively, the method comprises providing a sensor core having first and second ends, and a corewire. The method further comprises forming a bore in the first end, and inserting the corewire into the bore. | 06-23-2011 |
20110166479 | COMPOSITE RADIOPAQUE INTRACORPOREAL PRODUCT - The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal flexible member, such as a helical coil, which is formed with at least one highly radiopaque component and at least one high strength component. In a presently preferred embodiment, the highly radiopaque component is at least 10% and less than about 60% of the transverse cross-section of the flexible member, preferably at least 20% but less than 40%. The highly radiopaque component may be formed of radiopaque material such as platinum, gold, iridium and the like and the high strength component may be formed of a material such as tantalum, stainless steel, NiTi alloys, Co—Cr—Mo alloys and the like. | 07-07-2011 |
20110178436 | MEDICAL GUIDEWIRE - There is provided a medical guidewire which reduces the resistance with a curved guiding catheter, and has improved durability that can keep the resistance reduced for a long time. A core shaft of the medical guidewire has a second cylindrical part, with a smaller diameter than that of a coiled body, on a proximal end side of the coiled body. This second cylindrical part is coated with a hydrophilic material. Further, the hydrophilic material coated on the second cylindrical part has a larger thickness than a hydrophilic material coated on the coiled body. | 07-21-2011 |
20110184317 | SENSOR AND GUIDE WIRE ASSEMBLY - Sensor and guide wire assembly ( | 07-28-2011 |
20110190664 | HIGHLY FLEXIBLE TUBULAR DEVICE FOR MEDICAL USE - The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being oriented along the circumferential axis and including a plurality of flexural units defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the circumferential axis. | 08-04-2011 |
20110201967 | CATHETER DEPLYMENT DEVICE - An apparatus for deploying a needle within a lumen is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a threaded bushing radially disposed therein. The bushing rigidly couples with a nose cone having a guide tip disposed at an end opposite the bushing for penetrating an arterial wall of a lumen. During operation, a user incrementally advances the bushing within the housing, thereby incrementally advancing the guide tip into the lumen. The nose cone also includes a flex guide having a slot configuration which couples with the guide tip which deploys into the lumen along with the guide tip. | 08-18-2011 |
20110208092 | GUIDEWIRE - An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire capable of obtaining a sufficient tip load, and also preventing as much as possible a distal portion from being twisted or bent. The guidewire has an outer coil and an inner coil. The outer coil has a taper coil portion with its outer diameter gradually decreasing toward the front end of the core shaft. The inner coil surrounds a distal side portion of the core shaft inside the outer coil. The rear end of the inner coil is joined only to the core shaft on the front side of a position where the taper coil portion of the outer coil has a maximal outer diameter. | 08-25-2011 |
20110245729 | GUIDEWIRE - An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire in which the movement of coils of strand is not inhibited by a hydrophilic coating agent, and flexibility of a coiled body is secured even in a case where its coiled body is coated with the hydrophilic coating agent. The guidewire includes a core shaft, a coiled body including coils of strand wound around an outer circumference of the core shaft, and a hydrophilic coating agent coating at least a part of the coiled body. At least the part of the coiled body is coated with the hydrophilic coating agent so that a gap may be formed between the coils of strand. | 10-06-2011 |
20110245730 | GUIDEWIRE - An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire preventing cracks from being generated at a hydrophilic coating agent and excellent in lubricity by securing flexibility of the hydrophilic coating agent on its surface side even in a case of using the cross-linked hydrophilic coating agent. The guidewire includes a core shaft, a coiled body provided at a tip portion of the core shaft, a most distal portion fixing a front end of the core shaft and a front end of the coiled body, and a hydrophilic coating agent coating the coiled body and the most distal portion and cross-linked by a cross-linking agent. The degree of cross-linking of the hydrophilic coating agent decreases from a side of the coiled body toward a surface side. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251519 | VARIABLE STIFFNESS STEERING MECHANISM FOR CATHETERS - A catheter assembly including a tapered steering spine having a varying stiffness along an axial length. The tapered steering spine is tailored to provide increasing flexibility from proximal to distal in a way that makes the bend radius more uniform along the length of the steering section. In one embodiment, the tapered steering spine includes structures on adjacent rings that engage with each other when the steering section is flexed to limit the minimum bend radius to a predetermined minimum and which enhances the torsional rigidity of the steering section regardless of the degree of flexure of the steering section. The limited bend radius can prevent excessive bending of components such as fiber optics. The enhanced torsional rigidity can negate the need for torque braid in the section of the catheter shaft that surrounds the tapered steering spine. | 10-13-2011 |
20110295155 | GUIDE WIRE WITH CORE HAVING WELDED WIRE SEGMENTS - An intravascular guide wire having two core materials joined together without the use of a connector tube or sleeve, the core materials being stainless steel and psuedoelastic metal alloy, nitinol. The core materials are joined to each other through an intermediate transition piece made essentially of nickel, which is welded on either side to the two core materials. In a multi-segment intravascular guide wire, discrete, high modulus and medium modulus core portions of different materials are welded to a shapeable, low modulus distal core portion made of a third material having a flattened, shapeable section at a most distal end that is not welded to but made from the distal core portion, so the flattened, shapeable section can be deformed to create a steerable tip. Processes such as simultaneous resistance and friction welding can be used to join the core portions. | 12-01-2011 |
20110301501 | GUIDEWIRE - An object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire capable of measuring a lesion location present in a vascular channel, preventing perforation of a vessel or the like by improving flexibility of a lesion measuring part, measuring a lesion of a peripheral portion by improving insertability of the guidewire into the peripheral portion of a tubular organ such as a vessel, and accurately measuring a lesion location inside a vascular channel even under heartbeats. The guidewire includes a core shaft and a coiled body wound around a front end of the core shaft. The coiled body is made of a coil of strand. The coil of strand is formed by arranging a radiopaque coil of strand and a radiolucent coil of strand alternately in line and connecting them with each other. | 12-08-2011 |
20110301502 | IN-VESSEL POSITIONING DEVICE - A positioning device is disclosed. The device comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and an elongated body disposed in-between, wherein the elongated body is configured to accommodate at least a portion of the apparatus, and wherein a cross-sectional area of a portion the positioning device is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the apparatus and the cross-sectional area of a portion the positioning device is configured to be expandable. | 12-08-2011 |
20110306900 | GUIDEWIRE CONTROL DEVICE - A controller ( | 12-15-2011 |
20120022405 | METHOD OF SENSING FORCES ON A WORKING INSTRUMENT - A method for estimating the force on a distal end of a working catheter includes positioning a portion of a robotically controlled guide catheter and working catheter into a body lumen wherein a distal end of the working catheter projects distally from a distal end of the guide catheter. The working catheter and guide catheter are dithered with respect to one another using a dithering device operatively connected to a proximal portion of the working catheter. The coupling may occur directly to the working catheter or via a seal such as a Touhy seal. The force experienced by the working catheter at a proximal region is measured through at least one dithering cycle. The force at the distal end of the working catheter is then estimated based on the measured force at the proximal region. The estimated force may be displayed to a physician on, for example, a monitor. | 01-26-2012 |
20120041342 | HIGH DURABILITY CORONARY GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire for intra-luminal advancement of a medical device within a patient has an elongate core member with a flexible body member disposed on a distal section. The distal tip of the guide wire is cold worked by reducing the cross-sectional area of the distal tip so that the superelastic properties of the distal tip are transformed to pseudoelastic properties thereby allowing the distal tip to be more shapeable. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046575 | TWISTED RIBBON WIRE GUIDEWIRE COIL - A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure. | 02-23-2012 |
20120059279 | MEDICAL GUIDE WIRE - A medical guide wire which has a core wire having a distal end-side small-diameter portion and a proximal end-side large-diameter portion, and a coil spring installed on an outer periphery of the distal end-side small-diameter portion of the core wire along an axial direction, having a front end-side small-diameter portion, a tapered portion and a rear end-side large-diameter portion, and fixed to the core wire at at least the front end portion and rear end portion thereof, wherein the length of the front end-side small-diameter portion of the coil spring is 5 to 100 mm, and the outside diameter of coil thereof is at most 0.012 inch, the front end portion of the coil spring is fixed to the core wire by gold-containing solder, and the length of a distal end portion stiffened by the gold-containing solder is 0.1 to 0.5 mm. This medical guide wire is high in fixing strength of the coil spring to the core wire and can shorten a shaping length compared with a conventional one. | 03-08-2012 |
20120101408 | Wire Guide Having Two Safety Wires - A wire guide includes a helically wound coil having a proximal end and a distal end. A mandrel is positioned within the helically wound coil and terminates before the distal end of the helically wound coil. First and second safety wires are positioned within the helically wound coil and have proximal ends attached to the mandrel and distal ends attached to the distal end of the helically wound coil. The first and second safety wires are positioned on opposite sides of a distal tip of the mandrel and have contact surfaces facing the distal tip of the mandrel that have a shape other than convex. The interaction between the mandrel tip and the safety wires during a percutaneous vascular procedure inhibit mandrel protrusion and the potential tissue damage associated therewith. | 04-26-2012 |
20120101409 | BENDING RESISTANT MALE CONNECTOR FOR A GUIDE WIRE - During use there is a risk that a male connector for a guide wire is bent. With the present male connector ( | 04-26-2012 |
20120143088 | CONTROL HANDLE WITH ROTATIONAL CAM MECHANISM FOR CONTRACTION/DEFLECTION OF MEDICAL DEVICE - A medical device has a distal member with a configuration that can be changed by means of a control handle with a control assembly employing a rotational cam, a shaft, and a pulley, where the rotational cam is rotationally mounted on a portion of the control handle for rotation by a user. The rotational cam operates on the shaft to move it proximally or distally depending on the direction of rotation which in turn rotates the pulley to draw or release a puller wire to change the configuration of the distal member of the medical device. The shaft is oriented along a diameter of the control handle. The shaft has two ends which extends through two axial guide slots in the portion of the control handle to sit two opposing helical tracks formed on inner surface of the rotational cam. The guide slots are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the control handle and therefore maintain the shaft's diametrical orientation as the rotational cam is rotated to move the shaft proximally or distally. Actuation of the puller wire by means of the control assembly can result in a change of the distal member's configuration, including deflection, contraction and/or expansion. | 06-07-2012 |
20120143089 | CATHETER HAVING AN AUXILIARY LUMEN FOR USE WITH A FUNCTIONAL MEASUREMENT WIRE - The present invention relates to a surgical catheter, and more particularly, a balloon catheter having an auxiliary lumen configured to permit the advancement of a functional measurement wire to a treatment site. The auxiliary lumen communicates with a working lumen that is configured to permit the advancement of a guidewire and the functional measurement wire, so that the guidewire and functional measurement wire may selectively be advanced to the treatment site during a surgical procedure. | 06-07-2012 |
20120172761 | MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDEWIRE WITH A POSITION SENSOR - A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an elongate shroud disposed about the corewire, the shroud having a distal end, and a plug coupled with the distal end portion of the corewire and the distal end of the shroud, the plug having a distal, non-traumatic tip portion, an interior between the corewire and the shroud being configured to receive a sensor. | 07-05-2012 |
20120191012 | Controllable Stiffness Guidewire - Controllable stiffness guidewires and methods of using such guidewires are disclosed. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a controllable stiffness guidewire that includes a substantially flexible core wire having a distal section and a proximal section. A plurality of beads may be slidably disposed between the distal section and the proximal section of the core wire. In an embodiment, the beads may be contiguous with one another. The guidewire may further include an actuator designed to compress the beads against one another along the core wire. By compressing the beads against one another, the stiffness of the core wire, and thus the guidewire, can be variably increased between substantially flexible and substantially rigid. | 07-26-2012 |
20120197159 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft, and a coiled body wound around the outer circumferential surface of the core shaft. A bulged portion is provided at the tip portion of the core shaft. The front end of the coiled body is bonded to the front end of the core shaft with a bonding portion. The bonding portion is provided to enclose the bulged portion provided at the tip portion of the core shaft. | 08-02-2012 |
20120209143 | CATHETER WITH MULTIPLE DEFLECTIONS - A catheter has a control handle with at least an outer thumb control and an inner second thumb control. A longer puller wire has a distal end anchored at or near a distal end of distal deflectable portion. A shorter puller wire has a distal end anchored at or near a distal end of the proximal deflectable portion. For the shorter puller wire, a shorter compression coil has a distal end at or near a proximal end of the intermediate deflectable section. For the longer puller wire, a longer compression coil has a distal end at or near a distal end of the shorter puller wire. The inner and outer thumb controls include engagement members releasable by rotation of one thumb control relative to the other. When disengaged, the thumb controls each can be moved longitudinally relative to each other. When engaged, the thumb controls are coupled together for longitudinal movement as a single unit relative to the control handle. | 08-16-2012 |
20120209144 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING A SELECTED TREATMENT AGENT INTO CONTACT WITH TISSUE - Systems and methods that treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract by applying one or more treatment agents to tissue at or near the region where abnormal neurological symptoms or abnormal tissue conditions exist. The treatment agent is selected to either disrupt the abnormal nerve pathways and/or to alleviate the abnormal tissue conditions. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or as a neoadjuvent or adjuvant treatment modality. | 08-16-2012 |
20120215133 | CATHETER TIP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A catheter tip device and methods for manufacturing of a catheter tip device. The device comprises a transducer module attached to a capsule, wherein the transducer module comprises a carrier. The carrier includes a recessed die-attach area, a lead area having at least one groove disposed therein and includes a barrier. The barrier extends from the carrier to partially circumscribe the recessed-die attach area. The methods of manufacturing the catheter tip device involve the use of inserting the carrier into the capsule. | 08-23-2012 |
20120220896 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft having a tip portion and a rear end portion, and a hollow stranded-wire body formed by twisting a plurality of strands. The core shaft includes a small-diameter portion including the tip portion and extending over a predetermined area from the tip portion toward the rear end portion, and a large-diameter portion located nearer to the rear end portion than the small-diameter portion and extending over a predetermined area in the direction from the tip portion toward the rear end portion. The small-diameter portion is inserted into the hollow stranded-wire body and covered with the hollow stranded-wire body to partially constitute an outer circumferential surface of the guide wire. | 08-30-2012 |
20120220897 | Helical Clip and Method of Using the Same - The invention relates to a retaining clip for retaining at least one medical line in a shortened lateral position and/or to a supportive surface. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongated, tapered helical wire structure defining a hook shaped leading edge, a loading channel, an inner lumen and a handle on the trailing end. The hooked shaped leading edge, inner lumen and channel are configured to accept the largest diameter of medical wires the device is destined to be used with. Sections of the medical wire may be captured in the hook portion, and multiple rotations of the structure by the handle, moves the medical wire(s) into the channel and the inner lumen to be retained. | 08-30-2012 |
20120220898 | SENSOR WIRE ASSEMBLY - Sensor wire assembly for measuring a physiological variable in a body, said assembly comprises a sensor element for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response of said variable, and a guide wire having said sensor element at its distal end, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. The assembly further comprises a sensor signal adapting circuitry, being an integrated part of said assembly, wherein the sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry that is adapted to automatically generate an output signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured physiological variable is retrievable by an external physiology monitor. | 08-30-2012 |
20120232426 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ADVANCING A WIRE GUIDE - Apparatus and methods for advancing a wire guide ( | 09-13-2012 |
20120245488 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft and a coil. The core shaft has a diameter that decreases from a proximal end portion toward a distal end portion, and the coil is wound around an outer periphery of the distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a most distal end portion that is positioned at a most distal end of the distal end portion, and an intermediate portion that is connected to the most distal end portion. The cross-sectional shape of the most distal end portion is a rectangular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion gradually changes from the rectangular shape to a circular shape in a direction from the most distal end portion toward the proximal end portion. The length of the most distal end portion is shorter than the length of the intermediate portion. | 09-27-2012 |
20120265100 | MEDICAL GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft, an outer coiled body covering at least a portion of the core shaft, and an inner coiled body positioned between the outer coiled body and the core shaft. The inner coiled body covers the at least a portion of the core shaft and a resin material is filled between the inner coiled body and one of the outer coiled body and the core shaft to form a resin layer. Preferably, a space between the inner coiled body and the other of the outer coiled body and the core shaft is not filled with the resin material. | 10-18-2012 |
20120271198 | VASCULAR GUIDEWIRE CONTROL APPARATUS - A controller for use with a guidewire, such as a vascular guidewire, provides a mechanism for gripping and applying a torque to the guidewire without the need to thread the guidewire axially through the controller and at a location close to a point of access of the guidewire. In one embodiment, the controller includes a side-access, multi-part assembly including a collet or other gripping element that applies a uniform radially inward force on the guidewire. In another embodiment, for use with guidewires having active electrically controllable elements, the controller integrally or removably incorporates a switch or other mechanism to initiate an energized state. The controller thereby permits ergonomic, single-handed control of an electronically steerable guidewire, including axially displacing, torquing and steering the guidewire. | 10-25-2012 |
20120323145 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft having front and rear sections including a front end portion and a rear section, respectively, an outer coil body that covers the front section, and an inner coil body that is disposed within the outer coil body between the outer coil body and the core shaft, and covers the front section. The outer coil body includes a cylindrical large-diameter section positioned adjacent the rear end portion, a cylindrical small-diameter section positioned adjacent the front end portion, and a tapered section that connects the cylindrical large-diameter section to the cylindrical small-diameter section with a connecting portion provided therebetween, the tapered section having a diameter that decreases from an end adjacent the rear end portion to an end adjacent the front end portion. The inner coil body is disposed at least in the tapered section. | 12-20-2012 |
20120323146 | GUIDE WIRE HOLDER FOR ACCOMMODATING A MEDICAL GUIDE WIRE AND HOLDING IT IN PLACE, AND FOR BEING AFFIXED TO A MEDICAL DEVICE, PARTICULARLY TO AN ENDOSCOPE - In a guide wire holder ( | 12-20-2012 |
20130006149 | Guide Wire Device Including a Solderable Linear Elastic Nickel-Titanium Distal End Section and Methods Of Preparation Therefor - Shapeable guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate shaft member having a shapeable distal end section that is formed from a linear pseudoelastic nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) alloy that has linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite. Linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy, which is distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) Ni—Ti alloy, is highly durable, corrosion resistant, and has high stiffness. The shapeable distal end section is shapeable by a user to facilitate guiding the guide wire through tortuous anatomy. In addition, linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy is more durable tip material than other shapeable tip materials such as stainless steel. | 01-03-2013 |
20130012833 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CONTROLLED TORQUE TRANSMISSION - A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop. | 01-10-2013 |
20130012834 | GUIDE WIRE - The guide wire is a guide wire includes a distal portion and a main body portion. This guide wire is provided with a first curve portion; a second curve portion included on the distal side of aforesaid first curve portion and curved to the opposite direction with respect to aforesaid first curve portion; a third curve portion included on the distal side of aforesaid second curve portion and curved to the opposite direction with respect to aforesaid second curve portion, wherein a line contacting with both aforesaid first curve portion and aforesaid third curve portion has an obtuse angle with respect to an axis line of aforesaid main body portion. | 01-10-2013 |
20130018280 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire includes a core wire which forms a line shape formed from a flexible metal material. A distal portion of the core wire is arranged in an axial line direction of the core wire and includes a plurality of deformable portions, which are easily-deformable in a specific direction on a plane (x-y plane) with the axial line of the core wire being a normal line, and easily-deformable directions of the adjacent easily-deformable portions among the respective easily-deformable portions are different from each other. | 01-17-2013 |
20130046202 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft, a hollow coil body, and a hollow resin body. The core shaft includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a center portion that is sandwiched between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The hollow coil body covers the distal portion when the distal portion is enclosed within the hollow coil body. The hollow resin body covers the center portion when the center portion is enclosed within the hollow resin body. The center portion has a tapered shape such that the diameter of the center portion decreases from a proximal end portion side of the center portion toward a distal end portion side of the center portion, and a rigidity of the hollow resin body is higher than a rigidity of the hollow coil body. | 02-21-2013 |
20130046203 | COAXIAL GUIDEWIRE FOR SMALL VESSEL ACCESS - A coaxial guidewire for use in accessing smaller vessels within a patient's body, consists of an inner core wire and an outer hollow wire. The distal end of the inner core wire tapers and supports a spring coil. The core wire, including the spring coil, fits within a 25-gauge needle that is used to locate an artery of the patient. When the needle is removed over the inner core wire, the outer hollow wire, having a distal end that tapers to the outer diameter of the spring coil, fits over the inner wire and is advanced until the distal end of the outer wire meets the spring coil of the core wire. A dilator and introducer sheath combination may then be fed over the assembled coaxial guidewire. When the distal end of the sheath is in the desired position, the dilator and the coaxial guidewire are removed. | 02-21-2013 |
20130053730 | Miniature Sensor Tip for Medical Devices and Method of Forming the Same - According to embodiments of the present invention, a micro-sensory tip for use in blood vessels is provided. The micro-sensory tip includes: a force transmission element; at least three force detecting sensors coupled to the force transmission element, each of the at least three force detecting sensors responsive to force applied on the force transmission element, wherein each of the at least three force detecting sensors produces an output representing at least one force component of a three-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system, of the force experienced by the force transmission element, such that the outputs of the at least three force detecting sensors can cover the space of the three-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinate system; and an active element arrangement coupled to the at least three force detecting sensors, the active element arrangement configured to process the output from the at least three force detecting sensors. | 02-28-2013 |
20130102926 | FLUOROSCOPY-INDEPENDENT, ENDOVASCULAR AORTIC OCCLUSION SYSTEM - A system for deploying and selectively inflating a thoracic aortic balloon at a desired location within the thoracic aorta for resuscitative aortic occlusion, inferior to the left subclavian artery, without the aid of fluoroscopy is described. Using CT imaging data, a distance between readily identifiable and consistently located external landmarks of torso extent is measured. Next, using the same data, a second distance from the femoral artery to a desired aortic occlusion location inferior to the left subclavian artery is determined. A correlation between the external measure of torso extent and the desired intra-arterial (i.e. endovascular) distance within the torso is made. Using a nomogram, a calibrated endovascular resuscitative thoracic aortic occlusion system can be positioned to this desired location on any injured individual with end-stage shock and impending cardiovascular collapse or death without the aid of fluoroscopy for delivery or balloon inflation. | 04-25-2013 |
20130102927 | SENSOR JACKET - A sensor guide wire for intravascular measurement of a physiological variable includes a sensor element arranged in a jacket in a sensor region of the sensor guide wire, a core wire extending at least partly along the length of the sensor guide wire, and at least one electrical lead connected to the sensor element. The jacket is tubular and includes proximal and distal end openings, a jacket wall, a first opening arranged in the jacket wall, and a second opening arranged in the jacket wall. The first and second openings are proximate to the sensor element, and the core wire is adapted to extend through the jacket via the proximal and distal end openings. The sensor guide wire can provide a more reliable and stable sensor output by preventing air from becoming entrapped within the jacket wall or allowing such entrapped air to escape. The sensor guide wire may also prevent air from adhering to the outer surface of the jacket wall by enabling improved fluid communication between the sensor element and a fluid medium. | 04-25-2013 |
20130110000 | Dual Diameter Introducer Guide Wire | 05-02-2013 |
20130110001 | GUIDEWIRE | 05-02-2013 |
20130110002 | GUIDEWIRE | 05-02-2013 |
20130110003 | VISUALIZATION CATHETER PERISCOPE | 05-02-2013 |
20130123664 | MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING A LUBRICIOUS COATING WITH A HYDROPHILIC COMPOUND IN AN INTERLOCKING NETWORK - A medical device having a lubricious coating on at least a section of the medical device, and a method of coating a medical device, the lubricious coating being a network of short chain and long chain hydrophilic compounds cross-linked to one another and interlocked with a network of a cross-linked polymerized multifunctional monomer or polymer. The coating can include one or more agents which provide enhanced adhesion of the coating on the device, or which provide faster hydration of the coating and/or improved lubricity. Additionally, the lubricious coating can be provided with one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents, and in one embodiment the agent elutes relatively quickly in a concentrated release from the lubricious coating upon hydration of the coating. | 05-16-2013 |
20130131550 | GUIDEWIRE HAVING LINEAR CHANGE IN STIFFNESS - The invention is directed to a guidewire having a distal section with multiple distally tapered core segments with at least two contiguous distally tapering core segments in which the most distal tapered core segment preferably has a greater degree of taper than the proximally contiguous tapered core segment. The invention is also directed to an elongated intracorporeal device, preferably a guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal section of the device. The device may also have a core section with a continuously changing taper angle to produce a curvilinear profile that preferably is configured to produce a linear change in stiffness of the core over a longitudinal section of the device. | 05-23-2013 |
20130158433 | MEDICAL INSERTION DEVICE - A medical device is provided. The device includes a generally elongate member with distal and proximal end portions and a longitudinal axis and a lumen disposed therethrough, wherein the lumen is configured to allow the passage of a wireguide therethrough. The proximal end portion defines a trough for accepting a tip of the wireguide and urging the tip into the lumen from a varying angle of attack with respect to the longitudinal axis. The trough is defined from an open proximal end that provides communication with the lumen. The trough includes a proximal end face with an arcuate first edge that traverses only a portion of a total circumference of the elongate member. The proximal end face transitions to a second face disposed distally of the proximal end face. The second face defines a second edge that traverses another portion of the total circumference of the elongate member. | 06-20-2013 |
20130172782 | SENSOR GUIDE WIRE - The present invention relates to a sensor guide wire ( | 07-04-2013 |
20130184610 | INSTRUMENT GUIDE - A guide for a flexible member includes a stationary member, an articulating member, and an actuating member. The articulating member defines a first lumen. The stationary member, the articulating member, and the actuating member are coupled to one another by one or more arcuate grooves or flanges such that the articulating member pivots relative to the stationary member when the actuating member is moved relative to the stationary member. The stationary member and the actuating member form a second lumen arranged to accommodate the flexible member coextensively in the first lumen and the second lumen. | 07-18-2013 |
20130204163 | GUIDE WIRE CORE WIRE MADE FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY TITANIUM-FREE ALLOY FOR ENHANCED GUIDE WIRE STEERING RESPONSE - Guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate guide wire member that includes at least one section fabricated from a substantially titanium-free Co—Ni—Cr—Mo alloy. The substantially titanium-free Co—Ni—Cr—Mo alloy exhibits superior stiffness (i.e., greater Young's and shear moduli) as compared to stainless steel (e.g., 304V stainless steel) and nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) and a greater yield strength as compared to stainless steel. Increasing the Young's and shear moduli can significantly improve torque transmission and steerability of the guide wire device and increasing the yield strength can significantly improve the kink resistance of the guide wire device. | 08-08-2013 |
20130226033 | INTRAVASCULAR GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire for use in a medical procedure includes an elongate guide member dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel of a subject. The guide member defines a longitudinal axis and has trailing and leading end segments. The leading end segment has a reduced cross-sectional dimension relative to a cross-sectional dimension of the trailing end segment. The leading end segment includes a first core element comprising a first material and a second core element comprising a second material different from the first material and being forward of the first core element. The first material of the first core element has greater rigidity than the rigidity of the second material of the second core element, to thereby facilitate advancement of, and application of torque to, the leading end segment while minimizing deformation. | 08-29-2013 |
20130253374 | GUIDE WIRE WITH CORE HAVING WELDED WIRE SEGMENTS - An intravascular guide wire having two core materials joined together without the use of a connector tube or sleeve, the core materials being stainless steel and psuedoelastic metal alloy, nitinol. The core materials are joined to each other through an intermediate transition piece made essentially of nickel, which is welded on either side to the two core materials. In a multi-segment intravascular guide wire, discrete, high modulus and medium modulus core portions of different materials are welded to a shapeable, low modulus distal core portion made of a third material having a flattened, shapeable section at a most distal end that is not welded to but made from the distal core portion, so the flattened, shapeable section can be deformed to create a steerable tip. Processes such as simultaneous resistance and friction welding can be used to join the core portions. | 09-26-2013 |
20130289444 | NON-METALLIC GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire having a non-metallic, non-woven core wire is disclosed. Monofilar, polymeric fibers of multifilar helically-wound non-metallic fibers are preferred core wire materials. The guide wire optionally includes further coatings and other materials on the core wire. In one embodiment, a non-metallic distal coil wire is disclosed. The guide wire of this invention is particularly useable for magnetic resonance imaging applications. | 10-31-2013 |
20130289445 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a core shaft including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, an outer coil disposed so as to cover the distal end portion, and an inner coil disposed inside of the outer coil. The outer coil includes a first bent portion that is bent at a first angle in a first direction. The inner coil includes a second bent portion that is bent at a second angle in the first direction. The second angle is larger than the first angle. | 10-31-2013 |
20130303944 | OFF-AXIS ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSOR - A sensing system includes an off-axis coil in which wire is wound in loops about a roll axis and at an angle to the roll axis. In particular, the loops define respective areas that have a normal direction at a non-zero angle relative to the roll axis. A field generator can generate a variable magnetic field through the coil, and sensor logic can be coupled to the coil and configured to determine a measurement of a roll angle of the coil about the first axis using an electrical signal induced in the coil. | 11-14-2013 |
20130303945 | ELECTROMAGNETIC TIP SENSOR - A medical instrument having a distal tip through which a lumen extends can employ an electromagnetic sensor including a coil that is in the distal tip and winds around the lumen or a coil that is in the distal tip and defines an area having a normal direction that is perpendicular to an instrument axis that extends along the lumen. Three coils can be oriented so that normal directions of the areas defined by the coils are along three orthogonal axes. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310708 | TWISTED RIBBON WIRE GUIDEWIRE COIL - A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure. | 11-21-2013 |
20130331735 | INTERVENTIONAL GUIDEWIRE - The present invention is an interventional guidewire particularly adapted for use in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) procedures. A guidewire of this invention enhances peripheral vascular access for either diagnostic or therapeutic vascular or arterial procedures by having opposing ends of different stiffnesses. Retrograde dorsalis pedis artery access to upper body vascular occlusions is a particularly preferred application of this invention. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338538 | GUIDE WIRE ARRANGEMENT - A guide wire arrangement is provided. The guide wire arrangement includes an elongate coil element having two opposing ends; a force transmitting element arranged at one of the two opposing ends of the coil element; a sensor assembly arranged in the coil element at a predefined distance away from the force transmitting element; and a core wire extending from the force transmitting element to the sensor element through the coil element; wherein the coil element is configured to allow the core wire to be moveable relative to the sensor assembly and the sensor assembly is configured to detect movement of the core wire relative to the sensor assembly upon force impact on the force transmitting element. | 12-19-2013 |
20140005573 | Side-Loading Connectors for Use With Intravascular Devices and Associated Systems and Methods | 01-02-2014 |
20140024968 | GUIDEWIRE WITH HIGHLY FLEXIBLE TIP - A medical device formed of a coil with repeating loops, each loop forming a polygon and each successive loop being slightly rotated with respect to its adjacent loops to form a spiral configuration. The polygon in a preferred embodiment is a triangle, and the repeating triangular loop coil can be used as a guidewire in a stent delivering catheter. The guidewire can further include a stiff core wire that is disposed within the triangular loop coil, where the stiff core wire includes tapered sections that reduce the stiffness in the distal direction. The coil can include multiple sections of different loop shapes, including circular, to alter the stiffness of the guidewire to meet the needs of the application. | 01-23-2014 |
20140031719 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a first junction that joins a distal end of an inner coil body and a portion of a core shaft positioned a non-zero distance away from a distal end toward a proximal end; a second junction that joins a proximal end of the inner coil body and the core shaft; a third junction that joins a distal end of the outer coil body and the distal end of the core shaft; and a fourth junction that joins a proximal end of the outer coil body and the core shaft. The outer coil body includes a tapered coil portion and a uniform-diameter coil portion. The inner coil body is disposed inside the uniform-diameter coil portion of the outer coil body. The inner coil body is joined to the core shaft at only the first and second junctions but is not joined to the outer coil body. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039350 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire for use in a medical procedure includes an elongate guide member dimensioned for insertion within a body vessel of a subject. The guide member includes an elongate body segment and a leading tip segment. The elongate body segment defines a longitudinal opening, and the leading tip segment is adapted and dimensioned to articulate relative to the elongate body segment about a single axis. A control element extends through the longitudinal opening of the elongate body segment and is longitudinally movable through manual manipulation of a clinician to cause corresponding articulating movement of the leading tip segment. | 02-06-2014 |
20140046216 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire has a coil with a side of the coil winds having solid physical connections between the coil winds to prevent the connected coil wind side from expanding resulting from the application of force by an actuating member. The application of longitudinal force to the coil causes the unconnected coil wind side to expand while the connected side does not expand, resulting in the guidewire assuming a different configuration. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046217 | VASCULAR LOCATOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCATING A VESSEL - A vessel locator apparatus ( | 02-13-2014 |
20140135654 | WIRE GUIDES AND ANCHORS FOR ENDOSCOPY - A wire guide system is provided for use during a endoscopic surgical procedures. The wire guide system includes a cylindrical shaft having a hollow chamber along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft, a flange fit disposed around the cylindrical shaft and a seal disposed around the cylindrical shaft and abutting the flange. The system may also include an anchor affixed to the cylindrical shaft and having an aperture from which at least one of a sensor, a light, a camera, tissue and/or organs may be suspended therefrom and at least one cable extending from one end of the cylindrical shaft to another end of the cylindrical shaft through the hollow chamber. | 05-15-2014 |
20140155783 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VARIABLE STIFFNESS TETHERS - Described herein are devices and methods for guide elements configured with variable stiffness, with one or more flexible portions and one or more stiff portions. The flexible portion is be used as a tensioning element of a cinchable implant to tighten or compress tissues while the stiff portion is used to facilitate the insertion or withdrawal of portions of the implant or instruments acting on the implant. The guide element is further configured to be separated or severed between the flexible and stiff portions so that a flexible portion is left within the body as part of the implant, while the stiff portion is withdrawn from the body after implantation is completed. | 06-05-2014 |
20140163420 | GUIDEWIRE - In a guidewire, a second curved portion has a higher flexibility than a first curved portion and a third curved portion. Thus, a portion around the second curved portion can bend to a large degree. Consequently, a distal tip of the guidewire, in a state of being stuck on a side branch, can be released from the side branch and a distal region can be prevented from being rotated around the second curved portion. | 06-12-2014 |
20140163421 | Reinforced Catheter Transition With Flexible Tip Portion - The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a sheath for a rotational intravascular probe for insertion into a vasculature. An exemplary sheath includes a flexible portion having a lumen for receiving an ultrasound probe, a distal portion that includes a flexible multi-layer tip, and a transition portion that couples the proximal portion and the distal portion. The multi-layer tip defines a guide wire lumen having a distal guide wire opening and a proximal guide wire opening through a sidewall. In some embodiments, an area between the proximal guide wire entry opening and the flexible proximal portion is supported to prevent kinking and prolapse. | 06-12-2014 |
20140171833 | ENDOSCOPE TREATMENT SYSTEM - The endoscope treatment system includes an endoscope treatment tool that has an operating section including a distal end and a proximal end, and a sheath that is connected to the distal end of the operating section and is formed with a lumen into which the guide wire is capable of being inserted; a guide wire holder that has a tube member, in which the guide wire is accommodated, and that is circumferentially wound; and a fixing member that couples the operating section to the guide wire holder so that the distal end and the proximal end of the operating section are located outside the circumference of the guide wire holder. | 06-19-2014 |
20140180166 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire may include a core member and an outer coil disposed about the core member. The outer coil may be longitudinally movable relative to the core member between retracted and advanced positions. An anchor member may include an elongate wire having proximal and distal ends attached to the distal ends of the outer coil and the core member, respectively. In response to longitudinal movement of the outer coil relative to the core member, the anchor member may be movable between delivery and deployed configurations. A retaining mechanism may include a tubular member removably positionable about the core member and in abutting contact with a proximal end of the outer coil. The retaining mechanism may be engageable with the core member to inhibit longitudinal movement of the outer coil proximally relative to the core member. | 06-26-2014 |
20140188004 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a linear portion, a curved portion that is provided distally of the linear portion, a boundary portion that is provided between the linear portion and the curved portion, a lubricant portion that is provided on a surface of the linear portion, and a low lubricant portion that is provided at least on a surface of the boundary portion disposed on a side of the guidewire opposite of a direction toward which the curved portion is curved, a lubricating ability of the low lubricant portion being lower than that of the lubricant portion. | 07-03-2014 |
20140188005 | WIRE GUIDE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A wire guide and methods for making the same is provided. The method includes joining a proximal core wire comprised of a stiff material to a distal core wire comprised of a highly elastic wire material. The proximal core wire may have a recess at a distal face and the distal core wire is secured within the recess. The recess may be machined into the distal face of the proximal core wire. The distal core wire may be a coaxial wire having a sleeve of material that is easily weldable to the proximal core wire. The sleeve is welded to the proximal core wire and a distal portion of the sleeve is then removed to expose the distal core wire. | 07-03-2014 |
20140194779 | CORONARY GUIDEWIRE - A coronary guidewire ( | 07-10-2014 |
20140257138 | EXCHANGE GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire ( | 09-11-2014 |
20140276222 | CATHETER ACTUATORS PROVIDING MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE - Catheter actuators providing a mechanical advantage are disclosed. The actuators include a pull wire arm guide plate and a drive wheel attached around the pull wire arm guide plate and pivotable relative to the guide plate, the drive wheel comprising at least one thumb boss for pivoting the drive wheel about a drive wheel axis of rotation. The drive wheel mechanically engages at least one pull wire arm slidably mounted in a pull wire arm channel in the pull wire arm guide plate. A mechanism transfers drive wheel input into longitudinal motion of the at least one pull wire arm. The mechanism may include, for example, a pin pushing against a bendable pushing member riding in an arcuate pin groove in a top surface of the guide plate, or a pin pushing against a surface of a cam arm pivotably mounted on the top surface of the guide plate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276223 | SENSOR GUIDE WIRE DEVICE AND SYSTEM INCLUDING A SENSOR GUIDE WIRE DEVICE - A sensor guide wire for an intravascular measurement of a physiological variable in a living body may include a sensor element configured to measure the physiological variable based on exposure to fluid in the living body; and a cylindrical-shaped jacket forming an interior space housing the sensor element. The jacket comprises an outer circumferential wall with a circumferential surface extending between distal and proximal longitudinal ends of the jacket. The outer circumferential wall of the jacket does not include any apertures along its circumferential surface so as to prevent fluid from passing through the outer circumferential wall and/or the jacket has a constant cross section along its entire length. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276224 | SENSOR GUIDE WIRE WITH SHAPE MEMORY TIP - A sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of at least one physiological or other variable in a living body, comprising a proximal region, a distal sensor region, and a tip region, and at least one sensor element arranged in said sensor region and configured to measure the variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to the variable. The sensor guide wire further comprises a core wire, with a tip core wire portion, wherein at least part of the tip core wire portion comprises a shape memory material, and the composition of the shape memory material is such that the transformation temperature of the shape memory material is above the body temperature of the living body. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276225 | TORQUE DEVICE FOR A GUIDEWIRE - A torque device for attaching to and selectively gripping or securing and releasing a guidewire to permit rotational and longitudinal manipulation of the guidewire to steer and control the guidewire. In one embodiment the torque device comprises a nose portion, a neck portion, and a base portion with varying outer diameters for improved rotational control. | 09-18-2014 |
20140276226 | MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDEWIRE WITH A POSITION SENSOR - A guidewire for a medical device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the guidewire includes a corewire having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, an elongate shroud disposed about the corewire, the shroud having a distal end, and a plug coupled with the distal end portion of the corewire and the distal end of the shroud, the plug having a distal, non-traumatic tip portion, an interior between the corewire and the shroud being configured to receive a sensor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140323918 | GUIDEWIRE - A coil-type guidewire includes a core shaft, a coil body, and a plurality of bonding portions that bond the core shaft and the coil body to each other. At least one loosely wound coil portion is provided in at least one of regions bounded by the bonding portions, and densely wound coil portions are disposed near the bonding portions. | 10-30-2014 |
20140343457 | Guidewire Having Selectively Adjustable Stiffness and Tip Curvature - A guidewire assembly having selectively adjustable stiffness and tip curvature includes a hollow guidewire having a distal portion terminating at a distal tip, a curvature-modifying element anchored to the distal tip, and a stiffness-modifying element displaceable within the hollow guidewire towards and away from the distal tip so as to vary a stiffness of the distal portion. The stiffness-modifying element and the curvature-modifying element are frictionally linked such that movement of the stiffness-modifying element from a current position over a first range of motion causes corresponding displacement of the curvature-modifying element, thereby modifying a state of curvature of at least part of the distal portion of the guidewire. Movement of the stiffness-modifying element beyond the first range of motion displaces the stiffness-modifying element relative to the curvature-modifying element. | 11-20-2014 |
20140364768 | LOADING GUIDE LUMEN - An apparatus is disclosed including: an intracardiac pump device having a path for a guidewire extending through the pump device from a first opening to a second opening; and a lumen which extends from a first end located outside of the pump device, into the pump device through the first opening in the pump device, along the path for the guidewire, out of the pump device through the second opening, and to a second end located outside of the pump device. The lumen is configured to receive the guidewire such that when the guidewire passes through the lumen from the first end to the second end, the guidewire is positioned along the path. | 12-11-2014 |
20140378868 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CONTROLLED TORQUE TRANSMISSION - A medical instrument such as a guidewire that is designed to have controlled torque transmission along its length. Specially treated areas are placed in selected and equal areas along the entire length of the elongated shaft of the medical instrument, and are separated from one another by untreated areas. This process ensures that any torque is transmitted distally, in a smooth manner, regardless of the guidewire position, thus resulting in a substantial reduction in whipping. In one embodiment, a stainless steel guidewire is utilized, and is subjected to annealing heat treatment in selected areas. This annealing process creates a mandrel that has repeated temper properties along its length. Torque applied at one end of this mandrel is transmitted to the opposite end in an even and controlled manner, even when the mandrel is formed into a loop. | 12-25-2014 |
20140378869 | GUIDEWIRE INTERCONNECTING APPARATUS - A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connecter section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire. | 12-25-2014 |
20150018716 | SHAPE MEMORY GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire is described for navigating body channels such as vessels. The guide wire can include an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a fluid passage to transport a fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The distal portion of the elongated member can include a shape memory material with two way memory effect. The shape memory material can have a transition temperature less than a body temperature such that the distal portion has a first shape at the body temperature and a second shape different from the first shape at a temperature less than the transition temperature. | 01-15-2015 |
20150025416 | SENSOR CATHETER HAVING REDUCED CROSS-TALK WIRING ARRANGEMENTS - Improved wiring arrangements for sensor catheters are provided to reduce wire-to-wire cross-talk wherein wires connecting the sensor of the sensor catheter to a processing unit are divided into a plurality of wire bundles contained within respective sheaths, with the wires in wire bundle twisted together reduce electromagnetic signal interference among the individual wires, or between wire bundles. | 01-22-2015 |
20150032027 | LOW PROFILE, MULTI-CONDUCTOR GUIDEWIRE - This invention relates to medical guidewire having multiple electrically conductive pathways extending from substantially their distal ends to substantially their proximal ends. | 01-29-2015 |
20150032028 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AN AIRWAY DISORDER - Methods and systems for treating an airway disorder and delivering an implant to airway tissue are provided. A method includes partially inserting at least a first and second wire into airway forming tissue, wherein the first and second wires' axes define implant positions for a first and second implant, respectively. A wire guide can be used to maintain an orientation of the first and second axis relative to each other. | 01-29-2015 |
20150045695 | GUIDE WIRE WITH CORE MADE FROM LOW-MODULUS COBALT-CHROMIUM ALLOY - Intraluminal guide wires including at least a portion thereof fabricated from a non-super-elastic cobalt-chromium alloy that exhibits improved elasticity, while maintaining a relatively high yield strength, as compared to conventionally employed non-super-elastic cobalt-chromium alloys. The guide wire may include an elongate core wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein at least a portion of the elongate core wire is fabricated from a cobalt-chromium alloy having a Young's modulus that is 150 GPa or less while having a yield strength that is at least 280 ksi. | 02-12-2015 |
20150045696 | STEERABLE DILATOR - A steerable dilator includes a dilator body for holding and guiding a sheath, the dilator body having a deflectable distal end portion, and at least one lateral passage configured to accommodate at least one steering cable and a steering handle operatively associated with a proximal end portion of the dilator and having an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the at least one steering cable accommodated within the at least one lateral passages of the dilator for steering the deflectable distal end portion of the dilator in at least one direction. | 02-12-2015 |
20150080762 | Devices and Systems for Navigation and Positioning a Central Venous Catheter Within a Patient - Devices and systems for navigation and positioning a central venous catheter within a patient. In an exemplary embodiment of a system of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first pole and a second pole, the first pole and the second pole configured to generate an electric field within a mammalian body sufficient to obtain a plurality of field measurements therein, and an elongated body configured for at least partial insertion into a blood vessel of the mammalian body and advancement through a vasculature, said advancement dependent upon the plurality of field measurements indicative of one or more locations of a portion of the elongated body within the vasculature. In at least one embodiment, the elongated body is configured as a stylet. | 03-19-2015 |
20150080763 | Medical device system including guide rod illumination - A medical device system is provided. The medical device system includes a flexible guide rod having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the flexible guide rod configured to be inserted into a passage of a respiratory system of a subject, the flexible guide rod comprising a visible light emitter configured to emit light at the distal end portion of the flexible guide rod, wherein the visible light emitter is configured to emit visible light within the passage of the respiratory system such that the emitted visible light transmits in the subject and is visible outside the subject for use in determining the location of the distal end portion of the flexible guide rod within the respiratory system, and a medical device slidably movable along the flexible guide rod to position the medical device in the passage of the respiratory system, the medical device including an elongate body having proximal and distal end portions, and a balloon at the distal end portion of the elongate body configured for selective expansion to apply a force against a portion of the respiratory system. | 03-19-2015 |
20150088036 | GUIDE WIRE - A guide wire includes a core shaft, a coil body which covers the core shaft, and a coating film which covers the coil body. Portions of the coating film are disposed between adjacent coils of coil body, and gaps are formed between the coils and the portions of the coating film disposed between the adjacent coils. Due to this configuration, the coating the film can be easily bent, and thus the coil body may easily bend. As a result, it is possible to ensure lubricity of guide wire within the blood vessel while also enabling the guide wire to follow the shape of the blood vessel in which it is inserted. | 03-26-2015 |
20150088037 | GUIDEWIRE - In a coil-type guidewire, a coating portion of the coil portion is formed by stacking a plurality of films. An innermost film of the coating portion is arranged to come between adjacent coils of the coil body, and voids are formed between the innermost film and a film disposed outside of the innermost film. By forming such voids, it is possible to easily bend the coating portion and to improve flexibility of the coating portion. As a result, the guidewire in which the coil body is covered with the coating portion and the coil body (the guidewire) can be easily curved. | 03-26-2015 |
20150094616 | GUIDE WIRE CORE WITH IMPROVED TORSIONAL DUCTILITY - Guide wires including a guide wire tip portion including a distal tip portion and a proximal tip portion, where the tip portion includes a circular cross-section and substantially constant diameter along both a linear elastic distal tip portion and a superelastic proximal tip portion. Methods for manufacture include providing a superelastic wire (e.g., nitinol) including a length so as to define both a distal tip portion and a proximal tip portion. The distal tip portion is cold worked, without imparting significant cold work to the proximal tip portion, to provide linear elastic properties within the distal tip portion, while the proximal tip portion maintains superelastic properties. The tip portion is ground or otherwise reduced in cross-sectional thickness after cold working of the distal tip portion, so as to provide a circular cross-section having a desired substantially constant diameter along both the distal tip portion and the proximal tip portion. | 04-02-2015 |
20150099997 | STEERING TOOL - A steering tool includes an internal tube disposed inside an external tube. The internal and external tubes are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another. A distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the external tube. At least one of the internal and external tubes is slotted near the distal end thereof, and the longitudinal axial movement causes bending of the distal ends of the tubes. | 04-09-2015 |
20150119757 | COIL BODY AND GUIDE WIRE - A coil body has high flexibility, satisfactorily tracks a complicated shape, and remarkably transmits fine vibrations occurring on a part of the coil body. A guide wire uses the coil body. The coil body is formed by helically winding a stranded wire including a plurality of stranded element wires. The stranded wire has a first gap as a hollow at the center of the stranded wire. | 04-30-2015 |
20150126906 | Methods and Devices for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions in the Peritoneal Cavity - A novel approach to diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in the peritoneal cavity is described. More specifically, a technique for accessing the peritoneal cavity via the wall of the digestive tract is provided so that examination of and/or a surgical procedure in the peritoneal cavity can be conducted via the wall of the digestive tract with the use of a flexible endoscope. As presently proposed, the technique is particularly adapted to transgastric peritoneoscopy. However, access in addition or in the alternative through the intestinal wall is contemplated and described as well. Transgastric and/or transintestinal peritoneoscopy will have an excellent cosmetic result as there are no incisions in the abdominal wall and no potential for visible post-surgical scars or hernias. | 05-07-2015 |
20150148706 | MEDICAL DEVICES FOR ACCESSING BODY LUMENS - Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a medical guidewire including a core wire. The core wire may include a distal constant diameter, a first tapered section, an intermediate constant diameter section, a second tapered section, and a proximal constant diameter section. The distal end of the first tapered section may be attached to the proximal end of the distal constant diameter section such that a first inflection point is defined where the distal end of the first tapered section and the proximal end of the distal constant diameter section meet. The core wire may be configured such that when a first predetermined longitudinal force is applied to the distal end of the distal constant diameter section along the longitudinal axis, the distal constant diameter section prolapses such that a first loop is defined about the first inflection point. | 05-28-2015 |
20150289815 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTRAVASCULAR MEASUREMENTS - Intravascular diagnosis apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a monitoring guidewire includes a core wire having or made of one or more of MP35N, L605, Elgiloy, and an alloy of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and chromium, a sensor disposed in a distal region of the core wire, and a housing substantially coextensive with the core wire and surrounding the core wire, the housing being more flexible than the core wire for at least the distal portion of the housing. | 10-15-2015 |
20150290371 | CATHETER PUMP WITH ACCESS PORTS - A catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include an elongate catheter body and an impeller assembly coupled to a distal portion of the elongate catheter body. The impeller assembly can comprise an impeller configured to rotate during operation of the catheter pump. A tube can extend through at least portions of the elongate catheter body and the impeller assembly. The tube can extend distal the impeller and can be configured to remain in the portions of the elongate catheter body and the impeller assembly during operation of the catheter pump. | 10-15-2015 |
20150306357 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire includes a shaft, an outer coil wound around a distal end portion of the shaft, and an inner coil provided within the outer coil. The outer coil is formed by winding a plurality of stranded wires in a spiral manner, each of the stranded wires being formed of a plurality of elemental wires twisted together, and the direction of winding of the outer coil is opposite to the direction of winding of the inner coil. | 10-29-2015 |
20150359549 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING OBSTRUCTIVE MATTER FROM BODY LUMENS AND TREATING VASCULAR DEFECTS - A catheter system can be used to remove obstructions, deliver implantable devices or substances, and/or restore flow through body lumens. The system can include an outer shaft having a lumen, sidewall, and a longitudinal window in the sidewall, an inner shaft disposed within the lumen, and an expandable member having a first end coupled to the outer shaft and a second end coupled to the inner shaft through the window. The expandable member can be positioned adjacent to a target region while in the collapsed configuration. The expandable member can be expanded to an expanded configuration by relative movement of the outer shaft and the inner shaft. | 12-17-2015 |
20160038719 | REFORMABLE GUIDEWIRE TIP - Devices and methods for providing an elastically deforming guidewire tip, capable of withstanding the extreme forces of high-speed rotational atherectomy, in particular orbital motion induced by an eccentric abrasive head, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the reformable tip comprises an inner nitinol support coil, wherein the reformable tip may be attached to a larger proximal core for improved kink resistance and support for delivering adjunctive devices. In other embodiments, an inner nitinol support coil may be wrapped with a braided coil and/or a polymer sleeve. The resulting tip is more flexible with reduced risk of perforation than known guidewire tips. | 02-11-2016 |
20160038720 | SWIVEL TIPPED GUIDEWIRE AND RELATED METHODS - An elongate flexible steerable guidewire for facilitating placement of a medical implement is described having a proximal section, an intermediate section, and a distal steerable section. In embodiments the distal steerable section comprises a rotatable swivel member, and an elongate directional tip extending distally from the swivel member. At least one manipulation wire is secured to the swivel member and extends proximally to the proximal section. Axial movement of manipulation wires rotates the swivel member, thereby deflecting the directional tip. An actuator or handle may be incorporated with the guidewire. Methods include placing medical implements in target regions. Exemplary applications include guiding and placement of electrical leads in the spine, and placement of angioplasty devices in the vasculature. | 02-11-2016 |
20160038721 | STEP FEATURE FOR STEERABLE GUIDEWIRES - A mechanism can include a step feature guidewire having a guidewire with a proximal end, a distal end, and a diameter. A self-expanding element can be disposed approximate to the distal end of the guidewire and can have at least two states which include a contracted diameter and an expanded diameter. The self-expanding element can be expandable under its inherent proprieties, based at least on its original shape and the nature of the materials that make up the element. Further, the expanded diameter can be approximately 70% to 280% of the guidewire diameter. While the guidewire is designed for passing through a body lumen while treating a patient, the expanded diameter is less than any body lumen diameter the guidewire is determined to pass through. | 02-11-2016 |
20160051196 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTRAVASCULAR MEASUREMENTS - Intravascular diagnosis apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one aspect of the disclosed technology, a monitoring guidewire includes a core wire, a sensor disposed in a distal region of the core wire, and a hypotube substantially coextensive with the core wire and surrounding the core wire, the hypotube having laser etching along at most 40 cm of the distal portion of the hypotube. | 02-25-2016 |
20160051798 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH SUPPORT MEMBER - The invention provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device includes an elongate shaft having a distal region and a coil disposed along the distal region. The coil is formed from a winding member having a first filar region and a second filar region. The winding member has a first cross-sectional diameter along the first filar region, a second cross-sectional diameter different from the first cross-sectional diameter along the second filar region, a first centroid at a first position along the first filar region and a second centroid at a second position along the second filar region. The first centroid and the second centroid are axially-aligned. | 02-25-2016 |
20160074630 | GUIDEWIRE - A guidewire has a distal-most end portion that retains its desired shape. The guidewire includes a first brazing member joining a distal end of a core shaft to a distal end of an outer coil, and a second brazing member provided adjacent to and on a proximal side of the first brazing member. The melting point of the first brazing member is higher than the melting point of the second brazing member. As a result, deformation of the first brazing member due to a heat produced during formation of the second brazing member is prevented or minimized. | 03-17-2016 |
20160074631 | COIL, GUIDE WIRE, AND COIL MANUFACTURING METHOD - A coil is made by helically winding a wire rod. A cross-sectional shape of the wire rod of the coil includes a curved portion that is arcuately curved toward a center axis of the coil; a flat portion that is provided on an outer circumference of the coil, and is formed in a flat shape with a curvature that is smaller than a curvature of the curved portion; and at least one protruding portion that is provided at the boundary between the curved portion and the flat portion or in the vicinity of the boundary, and protrudes toward an adjacent wire rod. | 03-17-2016 |
20160082228 | GUIDEWIRE INTERCONNECTING APPARATUS - A male coupler for a guidewire, the guidewire having a hollow walled tube, the male coupler comprising a connector section, coupled with the guidewire, a portion of the connector section having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hollow tube, at least one conducting ring coupled with the connector section where the diameter of the connector section is smaller the diameter of the guidewire, wherein the diameter of connector section and the at least one conducting ring substantially equals the diameter of the guidewire. | 03-24-2016 |
20160121086 | CATHETER PLACEMENT DEVICE - A deep vein intravenous introducer has a wheel located toward the front end of the device that can be rotated by the index finger of the user. After placement of the needle in the lumen of the vessel, the user rotates the wheel, which turns a drive wheel. The drive wheel has an outer surface that advances the guide wire through the center of the needle and into the patient. Once the guide wire is advanced into the vessel lumen the catheter can be advanced over the guide wire with a hub or finger tab on the catheter close to the index finger. The operation can be performed by one hand without moving the hand from its initial position. | 05-05-2016 |
20160166808 | GUIDE WIRE RESTRAINT DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160199620 | MEDICAL GUIDEWIRES FOR TORTUOUS VESSELS | 07-14-2016 |
20160199621 | MAGNETICALLY INSERTABLE WIRE MATERIALS | 07-14-2016 |