Patent · US Expired

Fiber optic catheter with shortened guide wire lumen

US5456680A · kind A · utility

218Cited by
52References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 14, 1993
Grant dateOct 10, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 14, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2025/1093
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A fiber optic catheter has a short guide wire lumen (less than 10 cm) extending in a proximal direction from its distal end and an intermediate portion reinforced with a tapered mandrel which provides optimal steerability and trackability characteristics. The distal end of the mandrel is coextensive with a proximal portion of the guide wire lumen. The intermediate portion of the catheter may have a marker for visual identification, and the tip of the catheter may include a radiopaque tip marker band for fluoroscopic identification. The short guide wire lumen catheter provides superior flexibility, a low profile, and low-friction engagement with the guide wire.

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