Variable stiffness guidewire
US5957903A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0915
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Using a variable stiffness guidewire to cross a stenosed region of a patient's vasculature by advancing the distal end of the guidewire to the stenosed region, reducing the flexibility of the distal end of the guidewire, and further advancing the distal end through and past the stenosed region of the lumen. The variable stiffness guidewire has a longitudinally movable core member with a proximal end and a shapable distal end, a compressible body is slidably mounted on the core member, with one end of the compressible body secured to the end of the core member, and a tubular support member is disposed about the core member with a distal end that abuts the proximal end of the compressible body. The guidewire further comprises a tensioning means at the proximal end to move the core member longitudinally with respect to the tubular support member so as to compress and reduce the flexibility of the compressible body.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.