US5415178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extendable guidewire assembly
Assignee: Target Therapeutics Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-17
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2014-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An extendable guidewire assembly comprising: a guidewire having a tapered proximal end; an extension wire having a tapered distal end; and a polymeric tubular sleeve reinforced with a helical coil that is fixedly attached about the tapered distal end of the extension wire such that the tapered distal end of the extension wire extends partly through the sleeve lumen, said lumen having a diameter that is smaller than the untapered diameter of the guidewire and wherein said lumen expands radially when the sleeve is under axial compression and contracts radially when the sleeve is under axial tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobbie Hsi
- 👤 Gene Samson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M25/0905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
An extendable guidewire assembly for use within a patient's vasculature comprising in combination: (a) a guidewire having a distal end that is adapted to be fed into said vasculature and a tapered proximal end; (b) an extension wire having a proximal end and a tapered distal end; and (c) a first polymeric sleeve comprising a helical coil covered with or embedded in a polymer having first and second sleeve ends and a lumen extending therebetween along an axis, said first sleeve end attachable concentrically about one of either the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire, such that said proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire is extendible partly through the lumen of the first polymeric sleeve, said second sleeve end being attachable concentrically to the other of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire, said lumen having a diameter that expands radially when the sleeve is under axial compression during introduction of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire and contracts radially when the sleeve is under axial tension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
An extendable guidewire assembly for use within a patient's vasculature comprising in combination: (a) a guidewire having a distal end that is adapted to be fed into said vasculature and a tapered proximal end; (b) an extension wire having a proximal end and a tapered distal end; and (c) a first polymeric sleeve comprising a helical coil covered with or embedded in a polymer having first and second sleeve ends and a lumen extending therebetween along an axis, said first sleeve end attachable concentrically about one of either the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire, such that said proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire is extendible partly through the lumen of the first polymeric sleeve, said second sleeve end being attachable concentrically to the other of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire, said lumen having a diameter that expands radially when the sleeve is under axial compression during introduction of the proximal end of the guidewire or the distal end of the extension wire and contracts radially when the sleeve is under axial tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The guidewire of claim 1 additionally comprising a second polymeric sleeve having first and second ends and a lumen extending therebetween, said first end having a smaller inside diameter than said second end, said first end being concentric about the first polymeric sleeve, said second end being adapted to receive the proximal end of the guidewire, and to guide the guidewire into the proximal end of the first polymeric sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the first polymeric sleeve is fixedly attached about the distal end of the extension wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the taper of the proximal end of the guidewire is a conical taper and the taper of the distal end of the extension wire is a conical taper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein said one end to which the sleeve is fixedly attached extends through greater than half the length of the sleeve lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the untapered diameter of the guidewire is about 0.3 to 0.4 mm, the untapered diameter of the extension wire is about 0.3 to 0.4 mm, and the diameter of the sleeve lumen is less than said untapered diameter of the guidewire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 6 wherein the length of the tapered end of the guidewire is 3 to 7 cm, the length of the tapered end of the extension wire is 3 to 7 cm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 7 wherein the sleeve has a wall thickness of 0.025 to 0.05 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polyimide and the helical coil is formed of metal ribbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The extendable guidewire assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymer is polyimide and the helical coil is formed of metal wire.
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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) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |