Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A combination protective tube and guidewire straightener, said guidewire straightener fitted within the inner diameter of said protective tube, said guidewire straightener having a through passageway for containing a guidewire and a cylindrical hub having an end having at least one flexible tab, said at least one flexible tab having a predetermined outer diameter normally greater than the inner diameter of said protective tube and being force fitted within the inner diameter of the protective tube to constrict said at least one flexible tab inwardly to grasp the guidewire, said protective tube having at least one opening adapted to align with said at least one flexible tab when rotated to a position to allow said at least one flexible tab to move outwardly and release the grasp on the guidewire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A combination protective tube and guidewire straightener, said guidewire straightener fitted within the inner diameter of said protective tube, said guidewire straightener having a through passageway for containing a guidewire and a cylindrical hub having an end having at least one flexible tab, said at least one flexible tab having a predetermined outer diameter normally greater than the inner diameter of said protective tube and being force fitted within the inner diameter of the protective tube to constrict said at least one flexible tab inwardly to grasp the guidewire, said protective tube having at least one opening adapted to align with said at least one flexible tab when rotated to a position to allow said at least one flexible tab to move outwardly and release the grasp on the guidewire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one flexible tab comprises two tabs and said at least one opening in said protective tube comprises at least two openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined claim 1 wherein said guidewire straightener further includes a projection adapted to be readily moved by a user to rotate said guidewire straightener.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
A combination protective tube having an inner diameter and a guidewire straightener fitted within said inner diameter, said guidewire straightener having a through passageway for containing a guidewire and a hub having at least one flexible tab normally having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said protective tube whereby said at least one flexible tab is compressed inwardly to lock said guidewire in a fixed position within said protective tubes said protective tube having at least one opening adapted to align with said at least one flexible tab to cause said flexible tab to unlock and release said guidewire for movement within said flexible tube, said flexible tube further having an elongated slot allowing a user to move said guidewire within said protective tube when in said unlocked status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
132 words
A combination protective tube having an inner diameter and a guidewire straightener fitted within said inner diameter, said guidewire straightener having a through passageway for containing a guidewire and a hub having at least one flexible tab normally having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said protective tube whereby said at least one flexible tab is compressed inwardly to lock said guidewire in a fixed position within said protective tubes said protective tube having at least one opening adapted to align with said at least one flexible tab to cause said flexible tab to unlock and release said guidewire for movement within said flexible tube, said flexible tube further having an elongated slot allowing a user to move said guidewire within said protective tube when in said unlocked status.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said at least one opening and said elongated slot are one contiguous opening in said protective tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 4 wherein said guidewire straightener can be rotated to a unlocked position and the guidewire moved within said protective tube by the use of one hand of a user.