US6428489B1 — Guidewire system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

A guiding element configured for introduction into a body lumen to guide a catheter to a predetermined location comprising: an elongate body having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of transverse beams integrally formed in said elongate body and extending generally crosswise of the longitudinal axis, said beams being spaced apart by openings along the length of the body; at least one axial beam extending generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. disposed intermediate and connecting at least two adjacent transverse beams, and wherein said axial beam and at least one of said adjacent transverse beams are configured so that strain in the transverse beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body, and strain in the axial beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body are substantially the same; and, wherein the element is configured so that the interaction of the transverse beams with the openings and longitudinal beams increases the lateral flexibility of the body more than it reduces the torsional stiffness thereof.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

A guiding element configured for introduction into a body lumen to guide a catheter to a predetermined location comprising: an elongate body having a longitudinal axis; a plurality of transverse beams integrally formed in said elongate body and extending generally crosswise of the longitudinal axis, said beams being spaced apart by openings along the length of the body; at least one axial beam extending generally parallel with the longitudinal axis. disposed intermediate and connecting at least two adjacent transverse beams, and wherein said axial beam and at least one of said adjacent transverse beams are configured so that strain in the transverse beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body, and strain in the axial beam induced by at least one of torsion and bending of the elongate body are substantially the same; and, wherein the element is configured so that the interaction of the transverse beams with the openings and longitudinal beams increases the lateral flexibility of the body more than it reduces the torsional stiffness thereof.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of adjacent longitudinal beams are rotated with respect to each other about the longitudinal axis through an angle of about 80-90 degrees.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 2 , wherein the elongate body comprises a tube.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 47 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 3 , wherein a plurality of axial beams are disposed intermediate a plurality of transverse beams, and wherein said strain in each of said axial beams is substantially the same as said strain in at least one adjacent transverse beam.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 4 , wherein a maximum strain in an axial beam is substantially the same as a maximum strain in a transverse beam.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 19 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 4 , wherein two axial beams are disposed intermediate eight transverse beams.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 6 , wherein at least two of said eight transverse beams are of a different length.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 7 , wherein the lengths of said two transverse beams differ by about 1 to 10 percent.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 8 , wherein the difference is due to a difference in angular displacement of adjacent axial beams of about 5 degrees.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 9 , wherein the difference is in a same direction for a plurality of adjacent axial beams.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 10 , wherein the axial beams are positioned so that a helical pattern of axial beam placement is created.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 1 , wherein edges of said beam are rounded.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 66 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the elongate body is configured in accordance with a design process wherein the lateral bending flexibility is increased in comparison with torsional flexibility, by adjusting at least one of the size and shape of the axial and transverse beams to maximize torsional stiffness and torque transmission while holding lateral flexibility constant.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 1 , wherein the strain in the axial and transverse beams are substantially the same when the guidewire is subjected to torsion forces.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 33 words

A guiding element as recited in claim 14 , wherein the strain in the axial and transverse beams are substantially the same when the guidewire is subjected to both bending and torsion forces.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 151 words

A guide member element, comprising: a guidable elongate member having a longitudinal axis, said guidable elongate member being configured for insertion into a body lumen and guiding to a location within anatomy of a patient, said elongate member including a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising: a plurality of axial beam elements, and a plurality of transverse beam elements, said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling increased flexibility of the elongate member, and said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling transfer of torsional forces distally along the elongate member, said transverse and axial beam elements being configured so that a maximum strain due to torsional forces occurring in a transverse beam element is substantially the same as a maximum strain due to torsional forces occurring in an adjacent axial beam element, whereby a magnitude of torsional force that can be transferred distally by the elongate member is increased.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 151 words

A guide member element, comprising: a guidable elongate member having a longitudinal axis, said guidable elongate member being configured for insertion into a body lumen and guiding to a location within anatomy of a patient, said elongate member including a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising: a plurality of axial beam elements, and a plurality of transverse beam elements, said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling increased flexibility of the elongate member, and said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling transfer of torsional forces distally along the elongate member, said transverse and axial beam elements being configured so that a maximum strain due to torsional forces occurring in a transverse beam element is substantially the same as a maximum strain due to torsional forces occurring in an adjacent axial beam element, whereby a magnitude of torsional force that can be transferred distally by the elongate member is increased.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , wherein the elongate member comprises a tube.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 21 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 17 , wherein a pair of axial beams are disposed intermediate transverse beams.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 18 , wherein the angular spacing in one rotational direction between adjacent pairs of axial beams is about 80 to 90 degrees.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 21 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 19 , wherein the angular spacing in one direction is about 85 degrees.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 19 , wherein the positioning of pairs of axial beams comprises a helical configuration.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 16 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , wherein the elongate member is polished.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 22 , wherein the elongate member is polished by an abrasive spray.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , wherein the elongate member is formed of a superelastic material.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 18 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , wherein the superelastic material comprises a Nickel-Titanium alloy.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , further comprising transverse and axial beams configured to provide differing flexibility at different locations along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 30 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 16 , further comprising transverse and axial beams configured to provide a preferred bending direction at a location along the longitudinal axis.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

A guidable elongate member as recited in claim 27 , wherein the preferred bending direction configuration facilitates access of the guidable elongate member to a particular target location within the patient's anatomy.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 29 words

A guidable elongate element as recited in claim 16 , wherein lateral flexibility at a first location along the longitudinal axis differs from lateral flexibility at a second location.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

A guidable elongate element as recited in claim 16 , further comprising an identification marking which is specific to a lateral flexibility characteristic of the guidewire.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 22 words

A guidable elongate element as recited in claim 16 , further comprising an identification marking which is specific to a production lot.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 153 words

A guidable elongate member, configured for insertion into a body lumen and guiding to a target location within anatomy of a patient, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising a plurality of axial beam elements and a plurality of transverse beam elements, said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling increased lateral bending flexibility of the elongate member, and said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling transfer of torsional forces distally along the elongate member, said transverse and axial beam elements being configured so that a maximum strain due to torsional and bending forces occurring in a transverse beam element is substantially the same as a maximum strain due to torsional and bending forces occurring in an adjacent axial beam element, whereby a magnitude of torsional force that can be transferred distally by the elongate member is increased and bending of the elongate member is facilitated.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 153 words

A guidable elongate member, configured for insertion into a body lumen and guiding to a target location within anatomy of a patient, comprising an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, and further comprising a plurality of axial beam elements and a plurality of transverse beam elements, said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling increased lateral bending flexibility of the elongate member, and said longitudinal and transverse beam elements enabling transfer of torsional forces distally along the elongate member, said transverse and axial beam elements being configured so that a maximum strain due to torsional and bending forces occurring in a transverse beam element is substantially the same as a maximum strain due to torsional and bending forces occurring in an adjacent axial beam element, whereby a magnitude of torsional force that can be transferred distally by the elongate member is increased and bending of the elongate member is facilitated.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-08-05	2006-02-04	2006-08-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-08-05	2010-02-04	2010-08-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-08-05	2014-02-04	2014-08-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Guidewire system

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag