Guidewire with an intermediate variable stiffness section
US6638266B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/09133
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention is directed to an guide wire for intraluminal deployment of a medical device within a patient, the guide wire having an elongate core member with an intermediate core section comprising a plurality of contiguous segments in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the core member with alternating flexible and rigid core segments, so that the articulated section bends in a discontinuous, discrete manner when advanced through a curved blood vessel or other body lumen within the patient. When an obstruction on a vessel wall causes the catheter or other coaxial device to be impeded, the guide wire and intermediate core section may alternately be advanced and retracted a short distance through the catheter distal tip causing a “nodding” motion of the catheter tip while the catheter is pushed through the vessel, so as to avoid and bypass the vessel obstruction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.