US6436056B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric implements for torque transmission
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
•
Filing: 1998-07-13
•
Granted: 2002-08-20
•
Expires: 2018-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Implements, particularly medical instruments, formed at least in part of elongated polymer members, exhibit high torque fidelity after processing with tension, heat, and twisting. The processing orients the polymer in generally helical paths so that torque imposed at the proximal end can be transmitted to the distal end without substantial whipping, even if the implement follows a long and tortuous pathway. Applications include medical guidewires, catheters, and driveshafts.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Wang
- 👤 Albert Chin
- 👤 James B. Daigle
- 👤 Douglas J. Daniels
- 👤 Richard M. DeMello
- 👤 John F. Hartnett
- 👤 Robert E. Reid
- 👤 Christopher A. Rowland
- 👤 Charles Warich
- 👤 Thomas A. Svatek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; B; B29; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7542
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part of an extended element, said element being a structural body that is composed of polymer and which is the product of the process comprising: providing an elongated polymer member, heating said polymer member above its glass transition temperature but below its melting temperature, simultaneously twisting and tensioning said member, and cooling said member to set the effect of said twisting and tensioning into said member, wherein said member is a part of the medical instrument.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part of an extended element, said element being a structural body that is composed of polymer and which is the product of the process comprising: providing an elongated polymer member, heating said polymer member above its glass transition temperature but below its melting temperature, simultaneously twisting and tensioning said member, and cooling said member to set the effect of said twisting and tensioning into said member, wherein said member is a part of the medical instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 1 comprising stretching said member by said tensioning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 2 comprising placing said polymer member in tension and rotating one end of said polymer member while holding the other end rotationally stationary.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 2 wherein said process includes simultaneously heating, twisting, and stretching.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 3 wherein said process includes providing a member having differential stiffness along its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the cooled member is substantially straight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising heating the polymer member under sufficient tension to prevent the member from shrinking.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the polymer member comprises a plurality of polymers along its length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein tensioning the member comprises translating ends of the polymer member at different speeds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the polymer member comprises a core comprising a first material, and an outer portion comprising a second material different than the first material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first material comprises a metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 10 , wherein the outer portion has differential stiffness along its length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The instrument of claim 1 , further comprising: positioning the cooled polymer member into a tubular member, heating the tubular member, and twisting the tubular member in a direction different than a twisting direction of the polymer member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the polymer member defines a lumen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 14 , further comprising positioning an inner core in the lumen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 15 , wherein the inner core is oriented in a direction different than a twisting direction of the polymer member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 15 , wherein the inner core is axially oriented.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 14 , further comprising positioning the polymer member over a mandrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 18 , wherein the mandrel comprises a polymer coating.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 , capable of exhibiting substantially 1:1 torque fidelity between proximal and distal ends.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the member is in the form of a solid polymer rod.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a semi-crystalline polymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 1 , in the form of a guidewire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 1 , in the form of a catheter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
68 words
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part of an extended element, said element being a structural body that is composed of polymer and which is the product of the process comprising: heating an elongated polymer member above its glass transition temperature but below its melting temperature, tensioning the member, twisting the member, and cooling the member, wherein the member is a part of the medical instrument.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
An elongated medical instrument formed at least in part of an extended element, said element being a structural body that is composed of polymer and which is the product of the process comprising: heating an elongated polymer member above its glass transition temperature but below its melting temperature, tensioning the member, twisting the member, and cooling the member, wherein the member is a part of the medical instrument.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein twisting is performed after tensioning.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein twisting is performed under sufficient tension to prevent the member from shrinking and without stretching the member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein tensioning the member comprises stretching the member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein cooling sets the effect of the twisting and tensioning into the member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein tensioning and twisting are performed while heating.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The instrument of claim 25 , comprising placing said polymer member in tension and rotating one end of said polymer member while holding the other end rotationally stationary.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein said member has differential stiffness along its length.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the cooled member is substantially straight.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 25 , further comprising heating the polymer member under sufficient tension to prevent the member from shrinking.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the polymer member comprises a plurality of polymers along its length.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein tensioning the member comprises translating ends of the polymer member at different speeds.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the polymer member comprises a core including a first material, and an outer portion including a second material different than the first material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 37 , wherein the first material comprises a metal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 37 , wherein the outer portion has differential stiffness along its length.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
The instrument of claim 25 , further comprising: positioning the cooled polymer member into a tubular member, heating the tubular member, and twisting the tubular member in a direction different than a twisting direction of the polymer member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the polymer member defines a lumen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 41 , further comprising positioning an inner core in the lumen.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 42 , wherein the inner core is oriented in a direction different than a twisting direction of the polymer member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 32 , wherein the inner core is axially oriented.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 31 , further comprising positioning the polymer member over a mandrel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 45 , wherein the mandrel comprises a polymer coating.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 25 , capable of exhibiting substantially 1:1 torque fidelity between proximal and distal ends.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the member is in the form of a solid polymer rod.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 25 , wherein the polymer comprises a semi-crystalline polymer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 25 , in the form of a guidewire.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 25 , in the form of a catheter.
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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) | 2005-08-19 | 2006-02-18 | 2006-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-19 | 2010-02-18 | 2010-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-19 | 2014-02-18 | 2014-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |