Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
For use in catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient in which a catheter is advanced over a guidewire member and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a flexible guidewire member formed of metal wire and having a proximal end which remains outside of the patent's body and a distal end for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, the flexible guidewire having a magnetically-attractable element along the length of the guidewire member in a location that is spaced a substantial distance from said distal end so that the magnetically-attractable element is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
For use in catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient in which a catheter is advanced over a guidewire member and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a flexible guidewire member formed of metal wire and having a proximal end which remains outside of the patent's body and a distal end for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, the flexible guidewire having a magnetically-attractable element along the length of the guidewire member in a location that is spaced a substantial distance from said distal end so that the magnetically-attractable element is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guidewire member of claim 1, in which said magnetically-attractable element comprises a ferromagnetic portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The guidewire member of claim 2, in which said ferromagnetic portion comprises a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The guidewire member of claim 2, in which said ferromagnetic portion extends for at least 15 cm along said guidewire member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The guidewire member of claim 2, in which said ferromagnetic portion is located adjacent the proximal end of the guidewire member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
For use in catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient in which a catheter is advanced over a guidewire member and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a flexible guidewire member having a proximal end which remains outside of the patent's body and a distal end for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, the flexible guidewire having a magnetically-attractable element along the length of the guidewire member in a location that is spaced a substantial distance from said distal end so that the magnetically-attractable element is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said magnetically-attractable element comprising a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic segments and a plurality of permanent magnets interposed between the spaced ferromagnetic segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
For use in catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient in which a catheter is advanced over a guidewire member and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a flexible guidewire member having a proximal end which remains outside of the patent's body and a distal end for introduction into the vascular system of the patient, the flexible guidewire having a magnetically-attractable element along the length of the guidewire member in a location that is spaced a substantial distance from said distal end so that the magnetically-attractable element is adapted to remain outside of the patient's body; said magnetically-attractable element comprising a plurality of spaced ferromagnetic segments and a plurality of permanent magnets interposed between the spaced ferromagnetic segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
For use in an apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, in which a flexible guidewire member formed of metal wire is introduced into the vascular system of the patient, a catheter is advanced over the guidewire member, and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a device having a magnet adapted for positioning outside of the patient's body in close proximity to a proximal portion of said guidewire member which remains outside of the patient's body and which guidewire member carries a magnetically-attractable element outside of the patient's body, said magnet being adapted for positioning in a magnetic relationship with said magnetically-attractable element to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
For use in an apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, in which a flexible guidewire member formed of metal wire is introduced into the vascular system of the patient, a catheter is advanced over the guidewire member, and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a device having a magnet adapted for positioning outside of the patient's body in close proximity to a proximal portion of said guidewire member which remains outside of the patient's body and which guidewire member carries a magnetically-attractable element outside of the patient's body, said magnet being adapted for positioning in a magnetic relationship with said magnetically-attractable element to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as defined by claim 7, in which said magnet is a permanent magnet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
140 words
For use in an apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, in which a flexible guidewire member is introduced into the vascular system of the patient, a catheter is advanced over the guidewire member, and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a device having a magnet adapted for positioning outside of the patient's body in close proximity to a proximal portion of said guidewire member which remains outside of the patient's body and which guidewire member carries a magnetically-attractable element outside of the patient's body, said magnet being adapted for positioning in a magnetic relationship with said magnetically-attractable element to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force; said magnet is an electromagnet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
140 words
For use in an apparatus for facilitating catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient, in which a flexible guidewire member is introduced into the vascular system of the patient, a catheter is advanced over the guidewire member, and thereafter the catheter is withdrawn over the guidewire member while the guidewire member is retained in position in the vascular system of the patient, the improvement comprising: a device having a magnet adapted for positioning outside of the patient's body in close proximity to a proximal portion of said guidewire member which remains outside of the patient's body and which guidewire member carries a magnetically-attractable element outside of the patient's body, said magnet being adapted for positioning in a magnetic relationship with said magnetically-attractable element to retain said guidewire member in position via magnetic force; said magnet is an electromagnet.