US5025799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable memory alloy guide wires
Assignee: Jomed GmbH
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Filing: 1987-05-13
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Granted: 1991-06-25
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Expires: 2007-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A medical guide wire or the like that is comprised in part or entirely of one or more heat activated memory alloys alone or in conjunction with one or more non-heat activated memory materials. The tip or any portion of a guide wire comprised of memory alloy or components thereof can be aimed, deflected or steered on command by applying heat to the alloy. Combining heat activated memory alloys alone or with non-heat activated memory materials in opposite or antagonistic configurations or assemblies permits reversible shape change of the guide wire in any direction. The heat activated or shape memory alloys may be titanium-nickel alloys, titanium-nickel-cobalt alloys, other transition and precious metal alloys or thermoplastic heat settable material which exhibit shape memory characteristics. Heating of the guide wire is accomplished by induction heating, immersion heating, application of RF energy, or by body temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce C. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0158; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09083; A61M2025/09133; A61M2025/09141; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/02; A61M2205/0266
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A steerable guide wire adapted to be inserted within the body, and including shape memory alloy means for effecting accurate steering or aiming of said within the body, said guide wire comprising at least a pair of solid elongated shape memory wire members held in substantial coaxial engagement with each other but so as to allow relative sliding movement therebetween, and wherein one of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in one direction upon application of heat, and another of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in another direction upon application of heat, said guide wire being rotatable about 360° to thereby enable reversibly omni-directional steering of said guide wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A steerable guide wire adapted to be inserted within the body, and including shape memory alloy means for effecting accurate steering or aiming of said within the body, said guide wire comprising at least a pair of solid elongated shape memory wire members held in substantial coaxial engagement with each other but so as to allow relative sliding movement therebetween, and wherein one of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in one direction upon application of heat, and another of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in another direction upon application of heat, said guide wire being rotatable about 360° to thereby enable reversibly omni-directional steering of said guide wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire members are held together by at least one element slidable with respect to said wire members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire members are held together by at least one tie member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said wire members are held together by a strand helically wrapped about said wire members substantially along the entire length of said wire members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide wire is shaped and sized for use as a vehicle to precede and position a catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide wire is shaped and sized to precede and to serve as a vehicle for positioning an angioplasty catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide wire is shaped and sized for use as a vehicle to precede and position an angiographic catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 and further including means to effect heating of said shape memory wire members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 8 wherein said heat effecting means comprises induction heating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 9 wherein said guide wire is at least partially insulated with non-conductive material to prevent current leakage outside the guide wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 8 wherein said heat effecting means comprises body temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A steerable guide wire is defined in claim 8 wherein said heat effecting means comprises immersion heating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
A steerable guide wire adapted to be inserted within the body, and including shape memory alloy means for effecting accurate steering or aiming of said within the body, wherein said guide wire comprises at least a pair of solid elongated shape memory wire members fixedly secured to each other to prevent relative movement therebetween, and wherein one of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in one direction upon application of heat, and another of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in another direction upon application of heat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A steerable guide wire adapted to be inserted within the body, and including shape memory alloy means for effecting accurate steering or aiming of said within the body, wherein said guide wire comprises at least a pair of solid elongated shape memory wire members fixedly secured to each other to prevent relative movement therebetween, and wherein one of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in one direction upon application of heat, and another of said wire members is annealed to undergo a shape change in another direction upon application of heat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy means is a titanium-nickel alloy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy means is comprised of a heat settable plastic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy means is a titanium-nickel-cobalt alloy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A steerable guide wire as defined in claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy means is a titanium-copper alloy.
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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) | 1994-06-24 | 1994-12-24 | 1995-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-24 | 1998-12-24 | 1999-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-24 | 2002-12-24 | 2003-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |