US5944701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self coiling catheter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-10-02
•
Granted: 1999-08-31
•
Expires: 2017-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Medical guidewires have coiled proximal ends which allow and facilitate management of guidewires during use in an operating room.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Dubrul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; A61M2025/09058; A61M2025/09066; A61M2025/09083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
An improved guidewire or catheter of the type having an elongated flexible body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the improvement comprises at least a portion of the flexible body being configured so that it assumes one configuration when unconstrained and at room temperature and another configuration when exposed to a different environment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
An improved guidewire or catheter of the type having an elongated flexible body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the improvement comprises at least a portion of the flexible body being configured so that it assumes one configuration when unconstrained and at room temperature and another configuration when exposed to a different environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein the flexible body has a length in the range from 50 cm. to 200 cm. and a diameter in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein at least the proximal 50% of the guidewire body is coiled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein substantially the entire length of the flexible body is coiled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein the coil has a diameter in the range from 5 cm to 50 cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein the flexible body is composed of a shape memory alloy which has the coiled configuration at room temperature and a straightened configuration at body temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 6, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 6, wherein the nickel-titanium has been programmed by TWSM or TWME.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein the flexible body is composed of a stainless steel alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, further comprising a polymeric coating, wherein the polymeric coating imparts the coil configuration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 1, wherein the flexible body is a shape memory alloy which is malleable at room temperature and straightens at body temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved guidewire or catheter of the type having an elongated flexible body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the improvement comprises a temperature responsive body of at least a portion of which is one configuration at room temperature and another configuration at body temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
An improved guidewire or catheter of the type having an elongated flexible body with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the improvement comprises a temperature responsive body of at least a portion of which is one configuration at room temperature and another configuration at body temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 12, wherein the body becomes malleable after returning to room temperature from body temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 12, wherein the body is malleable at room temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved guidewire or catheter as in claim 12, wherein the flexible body recoils after returning to room temperature from body temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5211183A
Cited
US4950258A
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US5221269A
Cited
US5709874A
Cited
US5795318A
Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |