Patent · US Expired

High performance wires for use in medical devices and alloys therefor

US5720300A · kind A · utility

280Cited by
15References
40Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 1995
Grant dateFeb 24, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 21, 2015

Classification

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

Abstract

An elongate flexible wire-like medical device, such as a guidewire for use with a catheter, is formed with a shaft in which the difference between the magnitude of the tensile yield stress and compressive yield stress of the shaft is substantially reduced. The guidewire exhibits superior kink resistance without compromising other desirable characteristics and enables a guidewire to be made in a smaller diameter without loss of performance. The guidewire shaft may be formed from a precipitation hardenable alloy such as an alloy of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and chromium (MP35N and Elgiloy), 455PH stainless steel or stainless steel alloy 1RK91. Also disclosed is a process for increasing the modulus of elasticity of an alloy of nickel, cobalt molybdenum and chromium. Further, the disclosure relates to an improved management and manufacturing process for constructing the tip of a medical guidewire.

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