Patent · US Expired

Guidewire for precision catheter positioning

US6406442B1 · kind B1 · utility

169Cited by
59References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 12, 1999
Grant dateJun 18, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M2025/09083
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention comprises a guidewire having a compressible guide section capable of deflecting a catheter to abut a lumen wall. The compressible guide section exerts an outward radial force while it is at least partially compressed within a lumen. The guide section permits a physician to precisely locate a catheter within a body lumen and adjust a catheter tip orientation to be directed to a particular side of a body lumen. A method is disclosed for properly matching a guidewire and a catheter to operate together in the present invention, along with a force measuring instrument to assist in measuring a catheter's resistance force value. This method and systems of the present invention involve determining the exact force relationship between the compressible guide section and the resistance of the catheter in vitro.

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