Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A guidewire comprising: a main wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a distal tapered region; a first outer helical coil mounted about the tapered region of the main wire and being connected to the main wire at the proximal end of the coil, the distal end of the coil extending distally beyond the distal end of the main wire; a second, inner, helical coil having a smaller diameter than the first coil and being disposed within the first coil, the second coil being connected at its proximal end to the distal region of the main wire and at its distal end to the distal end of the outer coil; the second, inner, coil defining a safety means to maintain connection between the main wire and a distal portion of the first coil in the event of breakage of the first coil, said second coil comprising the sole safety means connecting the distal end of the outer coil with the main wire; the outer and second coils being wound in the same direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A guidewire comprising: a main wire having a proximal end and a distal end and a distal tapered region; a first outer helical coil mounted about the tapered region of the main wire and being connected to the main wire at the proximal end of the coil, the distal end of the coil extending distally beyond the distal end of the main wire; a second, inner, helical coil having a smaller diameter than the first coil and being disposed within the first coil, the second coil being connected at its proximal end to the distal region of the main wire and at its distal end to the distal end of the outer coil; the second, inner, coil defining a safety means to maintain connection between the main wire and a distal portion of the first coil in the event of breakage of the first coil, said second coil comprising the sole safety means connecting the distal end of the outer coil with the main wire; the outer and second coils being wound in the same direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 1 wherein said outer coil is connected to the main wire at a location adjacent the distal end of the main wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 2 wherein the outer coil is longer than the second coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 3 wherein one of the coils is formed from a more radiopaque material than the other of the coils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 4 wherein the inner coil is more radiopaque than the outer coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 5 wherein the inner coil is formed from an alloy comprising 80% platinum, 15% rhodium and 5% ruthenium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A guidewire as defined in claim 5 wherein the inner coil is formed from an alloy comprising 92% platinum and 8% tungsten.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A guidewire as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the coils is formed from an alloy comprising 80% platinum, 15% rhodium and 5% ruthenium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A guidewire as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the coils is formed from an alloy comprising 92% platinum and 8% tungsten.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A guidewire as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein the second coil is formed from wire having a flat rectangular cross section.