US6866642B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enhanced method for joining two core wires
Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc
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Filing: 2002-11-25
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Granted: 2005-03-15
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Expires: 2022-11-25
Abstract
Abstract An intravascular guide wire having at least two core materials joined together. There is a wire core having a proximal core section with a proximal end and a distal end and a distal core section with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section are formed into complementary shapes, and then placed into a flexible sleeve in opposing directions. Inside the flexible sleeve, the complementary shaped ends are joined together through bonding, welding, brazing, cementing, or soldering. The flexible sleeve can be either a stretched coil or a polyimide sleeve, each with an outer diameter similar to the outer diameter of the core wire, therefore the guide wire does not require additional grinding to reduce the outer diameter of the joined section.
Inventors
- 👤 Brad Kellerman
- 👤 Marc L. Speck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:45
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21F; B21F15/00; B21F15/02; B21F15/06; B21F15/08; A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/09; B21F45/00; B21F45/008; F; F16; F16G; F16G11/00; F16G11/08; A61M2025/09108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An intravascular guide wire, comprising: a core having a proximal core section with proximal and distal ends and a distal core section with proximal and distal ends; and a flexible sleeve covering the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section, the sleeve having proximal and distal ends, each end of the sleeve circumferentially surrounding the core, the sleeve defining a plurality of openings such that each end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferential discontinuities; wherein the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section overlap one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An intravascular guide wire, comprising: a core having a proximal core section with proximal and distal ends and a distal core section with proximal and distal ends; and a flexible sleeve covering the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section, the sleeve having proximal and distal ends, each end of the sleeve circumferentially surrounding the core, the sleeve defining a plurality of openings such that each end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferential discontinuities; wherein the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section overlap one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The guide wire of claim 1 , further comprising a mass of hardened material at a joint connecting the distal end of the proximal core section to the proximal end of the distal core section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The guide wire of claim 2 , wherein the mass of hardened material is disposed between the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section and encases the ends within the flexible sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The guide wire of claim 2 , wherein the mass of hardened material includes a bonding material selected from the group consisting of solders, brazes, adhesives, epoxies, glues, laser welds, and spot welds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The guide wire of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sleeve has an outer diameter that is generally equal to the outer diameter of the core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The guide wire of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section includes a taper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The guide wire of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section has a reduced diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guide wire of claim 1 , wherein the flexible sleeve is a polymeric sleeve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guide wire of claim 8 , wherein the polymeric sleeve is a polyimide sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The guide wire of claim 8 , wherein the polymeric sleeve has an outer diameter generally equal to the outer diameter of the core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The guide wire of claim 8 , further comprising a mass of hardened material connecting the distal end of the proximal core section to the proximal end of the distal core section inside the polymeric sleeve.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for joining two intravascular guide wire core materials, comprising: providing a proximal core section with a proximal and distal end and a distal core section with a proximal and distal end; forming a complementary shape into the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section; providing a flexible sleeve having proximal and distal ends; creating a plurality of openings in the sleeve so that each end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferential discontinuities; and inserting the proximal and distal core sections into the flexible sleeve in opposing directions with the complementary shaped ends overlapping one another.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for joining two intravascular guide wire core materials, comprising: providing a proximal core section with a proximal and distal end and a distal core section with a proximal and distal end; forming a complementary shape into the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section; providing a flexible sleeve having proximal and distal ends; creating a plurality of openings in the sleeve so that each end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferential discontinuities; and inserting the proximal and distal core sections into the flexible sleeve in opposing directions with the complementary shaped ends overlapping one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein forming the complementary shape, the complementary shape includes a taper.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising filling the flexible sleeve with a mass of material before inserting the proximal and distal core sections into the flexible sleeve, wherein the mass of material joins the proximal and distal core sections together.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein filling the flexible sleeve with a mass of material, the flexible sleeve is a polymeric sleeve.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the polymeric sleeve is a polyimide sleeve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising disposing serration on the complementary shaped ends.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising reducing the outer diameter of at least one of the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section prior to forming the complementary shaped ends.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising reducing the outer diameter of at least one of the distal end of the proximal core section and the proximal end of the distal core section after forming the complementary shaped ends.
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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) | 2008-03-14 | 2008-09-13 | 2009-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-14 | 2012-09-13 | 2013-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-14 | 2016-09-13 | 2017-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |