Color coded guide wire and methods of making same

US8480597B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Wayne E. Cornish · Fallbrook, US
• Travis R. Yribarren · San Mateo, US
• Carl P. Frick · Laramie, US
• Jessica Saenz · Lake Elsinore, US
• Emmanuel C. Biagtan · Temecula, US
• Pablito Buan · Temecula, US
• David H. Burkett · Temecula, US
• John Jacob Nelson · Redondo Beach, US
• Robert J. Peralta · Murrieta, US
• Michelle E. Alexander · Murrieta, US
• Arthur R. Tyre · Murrieta, US
• John A. Simpson · Carlsbad, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 13, 2010
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2013
• Expiry date: May 18, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/10
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A color coding is applied to medical guide wires by coloring portions of the guide wire to distinguish similar guide wires and guide wire portions from a particular manufacturer. The metallic elongate core can be colored using various methods such as electrochemical processes, sputtering, electroplating, and laser inducing microstructures to alter the surface characteristics of the elongate metallic core. Alternatively, the outer layer of the guide wire can be color coded by using non-standard colors or by introducing a colored band on the guide wire.