Variable stiffness guidewire systems
US8376963B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/0915
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A variable-stiffness guidewire system which comprises an elongated flexible guidewire. The guidewire has a body and a tensioning head coupled to the body. The tensioning head is slidably moveable with respect to a guidewire collar coupled to the body via a tensioning wire to adjust a stiffness of the guidewire. The guidewire includes one or more protrusions within a conduit of the guidewire collar which applies a frictional force to the tensioning wire to maintain the tensioning head a desired distance from the collar, thereby maintaining the desired stiffness in the guidewire. A tool can be utilized with the guidewire to engage the guidewire head and move the guidewire head a desired distance from the guidewire collar to achieve a desired stiffness.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.