Superelastic guidewire with a shapeable tip
US5876356A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/09175
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a guidewire for navigating through the human vasculature. The guidewire has a distal end for insertion into the body, and a proximal end. The guidewire is made from a core wire formed from a superelastic material and has distal and proximal ends. The core wire has a bore or notch adjacent its distal end, and the bore has a predetermined size and shape. The guidewire further includes a member formed from a malleable material. The member has the same size and shape as the bore or notch and is inserted within the bore or notch. Whereby, after the member is bent, the shape of the distal end of the core wire changes without elastically returning to its original shape. Lastly, the guidewire includes a cover which surrounds the member and portions of the core wire immediately adjacent thereto.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.