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US3749086A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Spring guide with flexible distal tip

Assignee: Medical Evaluation Devices and Instruments Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-24
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-07-24
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Abstract

Abstract This invention is directed to a spring guide having an elongated helically wound spring body and a composite internal core constructed to enable the distal tip portion of the spring guide to flex readily without kinking while retaining its ability to return to its normally unflexed condition after having been flexed. The composite core comprises proximal and distal portions in which the distal portion may be relatively more flexible than the proximal portion and corresponds in length to the distal portion of the body spring. Preferably, the distal end portion of the composite core is formed as a helical spring coiled counter to that of the body spring.

Inventors

  • 👤 W Kline
  • 👤 C Roach

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 18:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09016; A61M25/09033; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09083; A61M2025/09091

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 105 words
A spring guide including an elongated body formed as a continuously wound helical spring, the helices of which are in contact with each other, and having a relatively long proximal portion and a relatively short distal tip portion; a composite core extending the full length of said body and comprising a proximal portion formed from a straight wire and a distal extension formed as a continuously wound helical spring substantially coextensive in length with the distal tip portion of said body, and means for closing the proximal and distal ends of said body and for securing the proximal and distal ends of said composite core.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 105 words
A spring guide including an elongated body formed as a continuously wound helical spring, the helices of which are in contact with each other, and having a relatively long proximal portion and a relatively short distal tip portion; a composite core extending the full length of said body and comprising a proximal portion formed from a straight wire and a distal extension formed as a continuously wound helical spring substantially coextensive in length with the distal tip portion of said body, and means for closing the proximal and distal ends of said body and for securing the proximal and distal ends of said composite core.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The spring guide of claim 1 in which the distal end of said proximal core wire is rounded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The spring guide of claim 2 additionally including a safety wire extending through the full length of said body and having its proximAl and distal ends secured to the said proximal and distal end closures of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The spring guide of claim 3 in which said safety wire passes exteriorly of said proximal core wire and interiorly of the distal extension thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 37 words
The spring guide of claim 2 in which the proximal end of said distal extension fits over the distal end of said proximal core wire and is affixed thereto proximally of the said rounded distal end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The spring guide of claim 1 in which the straight wire comprising the proximal portion of said composite core is replaced by a capillary tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The spring guide of claim 6 additionally including a safety wire extending along the axis of said composite core and having its proximal and distal ends secured to the said proximal and distal end closures of said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The spring guide of claim 7 in which the proximal end of said distal extension spring is affixed to the distal end of said capillary tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
The spring guide of claim 1 in which said body is externally covered by an inert flexible plastic material firmly bonded thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 22 words
The spring guide of claim 6 in which said body is externally coated by an inert flexible plastic material firmly bonded thereto.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

No citation records indexed.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-07-30 1977-01-29 1977-07-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-07-30 1981-01-29 1981-07-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-07-30 1985-01-29 1985-07-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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