Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A guidewire which is adapted to control the attitude of the distal tip of a catheter slidably mounted thereover comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion with a distal tip and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions; and (b) the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft having a plurality of permanent bends along the length thereof spaced proximally at least 1.5 cm from the distal tip of the distal portion so that, upon the longitudinal movement of a catheter over the guidewire, the attitude of the distal tip of the catheter is thereby controlled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A guidewire which is adapted to control the attitude of the distal tip of a catheter slidably mounted thereover comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a proximal portion, a distal portion with a distal tip and an intermediate portion between the proximal and distal portions; and (b) the intermediate portion of the elongated shaft having a plurality of permanent bends along the length thereof spaced proximally at least 1.5 cm from the distal tip of the distal portion so that, upon the longitudinal movement of a catheter over the guidewire, the attitude of the distal tip of the catheter is thereby controlled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the bends are formed in one plane containing the longitudinal axis of the guide wire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein a helical coil having distal and proximal ends extends over at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the shaft, the helical coil being affixed to the shaft at the ends of the coil and the helical coil having a plurality of bends conforming to the bends in the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The guide wire of claim 3, wherein the coil extends beyond the distal end of the shaft, and includes a relatively smooth rounded tip, and a flexible safety wire having distal and proximal ends bonded to the tip at the distal end, the proximal end of the safety wire being bonded to a distal portion of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guide wire of claim 4, wherein said tip is radiopaque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The guide wire of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the coil is substantially radiopaque.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional diameter which decreases toward the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The guide wire of claim 7, wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the intermediate portion of the shaft decreases distally.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the degree of curvature of the plurality of bends of the intermediate portion of the shaft generally changes toward the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide wire of claim 1, further including a radiopaque marker at the proximal end of the intermediate portion of the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the bends are formed in a plurality of planes, at least one of which is coincidental with the axis of the guide wire.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The guide wire of claim 1, wherein the amplitude of the curvature of the bends changes toward the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
A catheter tip attitude controlling guide wire for use with a catheter adapted to pass over the guide wire, the guide wire comprising an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis having a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of bends formed in a plurality of planes, at least one of which is coincidental with the axis of the guide wire along at least a portion of the length of the intermediate portion of the guide wire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A catheter tip attitude controlling guide wire for use with a catheter adapted to pass over the guide wire, the guide wire comprising an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis having a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of bends formed in a plurality of planes, at least one of which is coincidental with the axis of the guide wire along at least a portion of the length of the intermediate portion of the guide wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The guide wire of claim 13, wherein a helical coil having distal and proximal ends extends over at least a portion of the intermediate portion of the shaft, the helical coil being affixed to the shaft at the ends of the coil and the helical coil having a plurality of bends conforming to the bends in the shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The guide wire of claim 14, wherein the coil extends beyond the distal end of the shaft, and includes a relatively smooth rounded tip, and a flexible safety wire having distal and proximal ends bonded to the tip at the distal end, the proximal end of the safety wire being bonded to a distal portion of the shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The guide wire of claim 15, wherein said tip is radiopaque.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The guide wire of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the coil is substantially radiopaque.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The guide wire of claim 13, wherein the intermediate portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional diameter which decreases toward the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The guide wire of claim 18, wherein the cross-sectional diameter of the intermediate portion of the shaft decreases distally.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The guide wire of claim 13, wherein the degree of curvature of the plurality of bends of the intermediate portion of the shaft generally changes toward the distal end of the shaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guide wire of claim 13, further including a radiopaque marker at the proximal end of the intermediate portion of the shaft.