Patent · US Expired

Composite wire guide construction

US5213111A · kind A · utility

200Cited by
19References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 10, 1991
Grant dateMay 25, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 10, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2025/09175
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A wire guide construction for medical procedures that involve accessing specific inner body areas without major surgery. The wire guide comprises a mandrel which is a coaxial composite of a thin stainless steel wire radially surrounded by a shape memory alloy, such as a nickel titanium alloy. The mandrel is of a constant diameter over the majority of its length except it is tapered at its distal end to reveal the inner stainless steel wire. A flexible coil of platinum is attached near the distal end of the mandrel and is secured in place when a smoothly rounded tip is welded to the distal tip of the mandrel. The complete wire guide can be coated with a polymer layer, and 70 to 80% of the distal portion of the wire guide can be coated with a hydrophilic polymer to increase lubricity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.