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US5357978A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rapid exchange guidewire loading attachment

Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1993-01-12
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2013-01-12
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Abstract

Abstract The disclosed device relates to over-the-wire PTCA balloon catheters (5), and more particularly, to a rapid exchange catheter (5) for dilatation therapy. The rapid exchange medical catheter (5) has a wire guiding means external to the shaft (35) for slidably mounting over the guidewire (70), the wire guiding means being at least two loops (15) and having a guidewire loading attachment (20) between each pair of loops. The guidewire loading attachment consists of a snap ring (45) depending from a tubular member (55) defining a guidewire lumen (50). The guidewire loading attachment (20) snaps on to the shaft (35) through a slot (60) in the loading attachment (20), the slot (60) having a diameter less than that of the shaft (35) resulting in a compression fit. The loading attachment (20) is removed after loading the guidewire (70).

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter I. C. Turk

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 05:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/09041; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M2025/0183

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 128 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a therapy means for providing medical treatment, the therapy means being mounted generally adjacent to the distal end of the shaft; a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising: a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 128 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a therapy means for providing medical treatment, the therapy means being mounted generally adjacent to the distal end of the shaft; a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising: a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of biocompatible materials which are flexible yet semi-stiff.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 14 words
The catheter of claim 2 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of polymers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The catheter of claim 3 wherein the guidewire loading attachment materials consist of polyethylene or polypropylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the therapy means is an balloon.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 157 words
A method of inserting a catheter on a guidewire comprising: providing a catheter with an angioplasty balloon having at least two guidewire loops, the first loop proximal to the second loop and a guidewire loading attachment between each pair of loops, the loading attachment comprising a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a length less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft; inserting the guidewire through the first loop, then through the loading attachment, then through the second loop and finally through any successive pairs of loops and loading attachments; removing all guidewire loading attachment(s); inserting the catheter and guidewire in a human body; and allowing the catheter to be withdrawn over the loops while maintaining access to a vessel being treated by keeping the guidewire in place in the vessel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 157 words
A method of inserting a catheter on a guidewire comprising: providing a catheter with an angioplasty balloon having at least two guidewire loops, the first loop proximal to the second loop and a guidewire loading attachment between each pair of loops, the loading attachment comprising a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a length less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft; inserting the guidewire through the first loop, then through the loading attachment, then through the second loop and finally through any successive pairs of loops and loading attachments; removing all guidewire loading attachment(s); inserting the catheter and guidewire in a human body; and allowing the catheter to be withdrawn over the loops while maintaining access to a vessel being treated by keeping the guidewire in place in the vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 186 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops, to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means the loading attachment comprising; a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft. guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising; a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 186 words
A catheter comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a wire guiding means mounted external to the shaft for slidably mounting over a guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops, to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means the loading attachment comprising; a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft. guidewire, the wire guiding means being at least two loops; and a guidewire loading attachment extending between each pair of loops to facilitate loading of the guidewire into said wire guiding means, the loading attachment comprising; a snap ring depending from a tubular member defining a guidewire lumen and a slot in the snap ring, the slot having a width less than the diameter of the shaft to enable a compression fit of the snap ring upon the shaft.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-10-24 1998-04-25 1998-10-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-10-24 2002-04-25 2002-10-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-10-24 2006-04-25 2006-10-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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