Ultrasonic transmission guide wire
US6450975B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320088
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The ultrasonic angioplasty transmission guide wire has regions of reduced cross-sectional diameter to improve flexibility and to compensate for degradation of longitudinal displacement due to acoustic losses along the length of the guide wire. The guide wire has a core of ultrasonic transmission material and an outer jacket surrounding a usable portion of the elongated shaft. The outer jacket is formed of a shrink tubing. At the proximal end are disposed threads configured to connect to a connecting device for an ultrasound transducer. The distal end comprises a smooth ball tip for atraumatic application of ultrasound energy to biological tissue. In one embodiment, the guide wire is formed of stainless steel. In another, the guide wire is formed at least partially of a superelastic metal alloy and in one case is formed at least partially of a shape memory alloy that exhibits superelastic properties when in its martensitic state. In one preferred embodiment, the guide wire is formed of a nickel-titanium alloy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.