Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises: flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, and control means attached to the proximal end of the flexible tubing, wherein the proximal end of the deflection wire is engaged by an engaging member, the control means having rotation means and deflection means such that when the rotation means is rotated, the distal end of the spring coil rotates about its longitudinal axis and that when the deflection means is activated, the engaging means moves in an axial direction to cause said deflection wire to move relative to the tubing to cause the distal end of the guidewire to bend toward or away from the line of the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises: flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, and control means attached to the proximal end of the flexible tubing, wherein the proximal end of the deflection wire is engaged by an engaging member, the control means having rotation means and deflection means such that when the rotation means is rotated, the distal end of the spring coil rotates about its longitudinal axis and that when the deflection means is activated, the engaging means moves in an axial direction to cause said deflection wire to move relative to the tubing to cause the distal end of the guidewire to bend toward or away from the line of the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the spring coil means is attached to the tubing by a weld, a brazed joint, or solder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the spring coil is radiopague.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The guidewire of claim 1, wherein the guidewire has a lubricous coating thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal portions and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, and a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, wherein the distal portion of the tubing is concentrically tapered and then angularly tapered to a sharp or flat point, said point being attached to the interior surface of said spring coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises flexible tubing having proximal and distal portions and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, and a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, wherein the distal portion of the tubing is concentrically tapered and then angularly tapered to a sharp or flat point, said point being attached to the interior surface of said spring coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein the proximal end of the spring coil means is attached to the tubing by welding, brazing, or soldering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the tubing is attached to said spring coil by welding, brazing, or soldering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein the spring coil is radiopaque.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein the guidewire has a lubricous coating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein said point is attached to the interior surface of said stretched coils.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
The guidewire of claim 5, wherein the proximal end of the guidewire comprises a control means where the proximal end of the deflection wire is engaged by an engaging member, the control means having rotation means and deflection means such that when the rotation means is rotated, the distal end of the spring coil rotates and that when the deflection means is activated, the engaging means moves in an axial direction to cause said deflection wire to move relative to the tubing to cause the distal end of the guidewire to move toward or away from the line of the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
235 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises: flexible tubing having proximal and distal portions and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the distal portion of said flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, wherein the distal portion of the tubing is concentrically tapered and then angularly tapered to a sharp or flat point, said point being attached to the interior surface of said spring coil, and control means attached to the proximal end of the flexible tubing, wherein the proximal end of the deflection wire in engaged by an engaging member, the control means having rotation means and deflection means such that when the rotation means is rotated, the distal end of the spring coil rotates about its longitudinal axis and that when the deflection means is activated, the engaging means moves in an axial direction to cause said deflection wire to move relative to the tubing to cause the distal end of the guidewire to bend toward or away from the line of the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
235 words
A steerable guidewire having a deflectable tip, which comprises: flexible tubing having proximal and distal portions and inner and outer surfaces, a helically wound flexible spring coil having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of said spring coil being attached to the distal portion of said flexible tubing and the distal end of said spring coil comprising stretched coils, a deflection wire extending through the flexible tubing and spring coil, said deflection wire having proximal and distal ends, a rounded tip engaging the distal end of the spring coil and the distal end of the deflection wire, wherein the distal portion of the tubing is concentrically tapered and then angularly tapered to a sharp or flat point, said point being attached to the interior surface of said spring coil, and control means attached to the proximal end of the flexible tubing, wherein the proximal end of the deflection wire in engaged by an engaging member, the control means having rotation means and deflection means such that when the rotation means is rotated, the distal end of the spring coil rotates about its longitudinal axis and that when the deflection means is activated, the engaging means moves in an axial direction to cause said deflection wire to move relative to the tubing to cause the distal end of the guidewire to bend toward or away from the line of the longitudinal axis of the guidewire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the spring coil means is attached to the tubing by a weld, a brazed joint, or solder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the distal end of the tubing is attached to said spring coil by a weld, a brazed joint, or solder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the spring coil is radiopaque.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The guidewire of claim 12, wherein the guidewire has a lubricous coating thereon.