Patent US6746422B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6746422B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steerable support system with external ribs/slots that taper
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-22
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Granted: 2004-06-08
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Expires: 2021-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A steerable coil working channel system for accessing stenosis, partial occlusions, or complete occlusions within a body lumen. The working channel system generally includes an coiled elongate member such as a hollow guidewire that can be advanced through tortuous regions in the vasculature. A deflectable distal tip is coupled to a distal end of the elongate body to facilitate directionality and positioning of the distal end of the working channel at the target site and steering the elongate body through the tortuous regions in the vasculature.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerardo Noriega
- 👤 Rudolfo Sudaria
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0138; A61M25/0147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A steerable support system comprising: an elongate body having a lumen extending from a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a deflectable distal tip coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body, wherein the deflectable distal tip comprises ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the deflectable distal tip; a pull wire that extends from the proximal end portion of the elongate body to couple to the deflectable distal tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A steerable support system comprising: an elongate body having a lumen extending from a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a deflectable distal tip coupled to the distal portion of the elongate body, wherein the deflectable distal tip comprises ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the deflectable distal tip; a pull wire that extends from the proximal end portion of the elongate body to couple to the deflectable distal tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein the elongate body comprises a hollow guidewire.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 further comprising a radiopaque marker positioned at a distal end of the deflectable distal tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the pull wire is flattened, wherein the flattened end of the pull wire is attached to the distal tip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 further comprising a tubing that covers at least a portion of the elongate body and deflectable tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein the pull wire is moveable and can withstand a tensile force of more than 400 kpsi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein the distal tip comprises an open distal end, an open proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the open proximal end of the distal tip is in communication with the lumen of the elongate body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein the distal tip comprises a coil disposed between an inner tube and an outer tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steerable support system of claim 1 wherein the elongate body comprises a helically wound coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
76 words
A steerable guidewire system comprising: an elongate body comprising a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; a flexible distal tip coupled to the distal end, wherein the deflectable distal tip comprises ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the deflectable distal tip; and a deflection wire that extends from the proximal end of the elongate body to the flexible distal tip, wherein the deflection wire controls the deflection of the distal tip.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
A steerable guidewire system comprising: an elongate body comprising a lumen, a proximal end, and a distal end; a flexible distal tip coupled to the distal end, wherein the deflectable distal tip comprises ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the deflectable distal tip; and a deflection wire that extends from the proximal end of the elongate body to the flexible distal tip, wherein the deflection wire controls the deflection of the distal tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The steerable guidewire of claim 10 herein the deflection wire is deflectable in at least one direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steerable guidewire of claim 10 wherein the flexible distal tip is at least partially opaque.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steerable guidewire of claim 10 wherein the flexible distal tip comprises an open distal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The steerable guidewire of claim 10 wherein the flexible distal tip comprises a coil disposed between an inner tube and an outer tube, wherein the deflection wire is positioned between the coil and the inner tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A steerable support system comprising: an elongate coil body comprising a lumen; a steerable distal tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate coil body, wherein the distal tip comprises a plurality of ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the distal tip on at least one side of the distal tip; and one or more steering elements that are configured to steer the distal tip in one or more directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
A steerable support system comprising: an elongate coil body comprising a lumen; a steerable distal tip coupled to a distal end of the elongate coil body, wherein the distal tip comprises a plurality of ribs that are tapered toward a distal end of the distal tip on at least one side of the distal tip; and one or more steering elements that are configured to steer the distal tip in one or more directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The steerable support system of claim 15 wherein the ribs are comprised of partial circumferential slots in the distal tip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The steerable support system of claim 15 wherein the one or more steering elements comprise an elongate pull wire that is attached to the distal tip at one or more points and extends proximally down a length of the distal tip and elongate coil body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The steerable support system of claim 15 wherein the steerable distal tip is threadedly engaged with the elongate coil body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The steerable support system of claim 15 wherein the distal tip comprises a radiopaque marker.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The steerable support system of claim 15 further comprising a port assembly that is in communication with the lumen of the elongate coil body.
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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) | 2007-06-08 | 2007-12-08 | 2008-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-08 | 2015-12-08 | 2016-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |