US4867174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guidewire for medical use
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-18
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Granted: 1989-09-19
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Expires: 2007-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A structure comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over the inner element, the structure having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, the inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to the sheath, and the sheath having increased softness relative to the inner element.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Skribiski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/06; A61L31/08; A61L31/10; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said inner element comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, glass, graphite, organic polymer and mixture thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said inner element comprises a plurality of filaments which are bonded together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said filaments are made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, glass, graphite, organic polymer and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said filaments have modulus in flexure of at least about 500,000 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said filaments have a modulus in flexure of at least about one million psi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said monofilaments are made of organic polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said organic polymer is at least one liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein said liquid crystalline polymer is oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of said filament.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 8 wherein the liquid crystalline polymer is a polyester.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure of claim 3 wherein said filaments are bonded together by organic polymeric material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said organic polymeric material is capable of wetting said filaments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said organic polymeric material is a thermoset polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 wherein said inner element has a modulus in flexure of at least about 500,000 psi.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medical guidewire of claim 14 wherein said inner element has a modulus in flexure of at least about one million psi.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 wherein said inner element comprises organic polymer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 wherein said inner element is secured to said sheath.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 wherein said inner element is adhesively secured to said sheath.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 which further comprises adhesive means located between said inner element and said sheath to adhesively secure said inner element to said sheath.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical guidewire of claim 19 wherein said adhesive means is an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medical guidewire of claim 1 wherein said inner element has a substantially uniform cross-section throughout.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said inner element is substantially rectangular in cross-section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said inner element has a cross-section such that a plurality of lobes extend outwardly from the center of said inner element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said sheath is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polyester material, a polyurethane material, and a polyester-polyamide copolymer material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
78 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element made of at least one liquid crystalline organic polymer and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element made of at least one liquid crystalline organic polymer and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical guidewire of claim 25 wherein said liquid crystalline organic polymer is oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of said inner element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical guidewire of claim 25 wherein the liquid crystalline organic polymer is a polyester.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
79 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element having a cross-section which is other than circular in configuration and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
A medical guidewire comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element having a cross-section which is other than circular in configuration and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over said inner element, said medical guidewire having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, said inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to said sheath, and said sheath having increased softness relative to said inner element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The medical guide of claim 28 wherein said inner element is generally star shaped in cross-section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |