Guidewire system
US6428489B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/09175
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A catheter guidewire includes an elongate solid body about which a catheter may be threaded for guidance to a target location in a vasculature passageway of a body. The elongate body includes a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end being curved. Cuts are formed either by saw-cutting, laser cutting or etching at spaced-apart locations along the length of the body to increase its lateral flexibility. Integral beams are also formed within the body to maintain its torsional strength. The relative location and size of cuts and beams may be selectively adjusted so as to control the direction and degree of flexure, and the change in torsional stiffness relative to flexibility.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.