Extendable guidewire for cardiovascular procedures

Claim 2

An extendable guidewire system comprising: (a) a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system which has a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; (b) a guidewire extension section having a mating end; and (c) a connection therebetween suitable for repetitive connections including a tubular member on the mating end of one of the guidewire sections having an open end, a male member on the mating end of the other guidewire section which is adapted to be manually inserted into the open end of the tubular member and means to releasably secure the two sections together by frictional engagement between the tubular member and the male member.

Claim 3

The extendable guidewire system of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is fixed to the mating end of the guidewire extension section and the male member is on the mating end of the main guidewire section.

Claim 4

The extendable guidewire system of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is fixed to the mating end of the main guidewire section and the male member is on the mating end of the guidewire extension section.

Claim 5

The guidewire extension system of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is fixed to an end of a guidewire section by welding.

Claim 6

The guidewire extension system of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is fixed to an end of a guidewire section by brazing.

Claim 7

The guidewire extension system of claim 1 wherein the male member has protrusions on the outer surface thereof which engage the inner surface of the tubular member to thereby releasably secure the two guidewire sections together.

Claim 8

The extendable guidewire system of claim 1 wherein the male member has a diametrical dimension slightly larger than the inner diametrical dimension of the tubular member receiving the male member so that upon the insertion of the male member into the tubular member the guidewire sections are releasably secured together.

Claim 9

The extendable guidewire system of claim 7 wherein the male member is provided with an undulated shape.

Claim 10

The extendable guidewire system of claim 7 wherein the maximum diametrical dimension of the male member is not more than 50% greater than the inside diameter of the tubular member.

Claim 13

An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; and c. connecting means for repetitive connections between said main guidewire section and said extension section by non-permanent deformation of either of said mating end whereby said extension wire section and said main guidewire section can be repetitively connected and disconnected. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The extendable guidewire system of claim 11 wherein the maximum diameter of said connection means, after connection, is substantially the same diameter as that of said main guidewire section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The extendable guidewire system of claim 11 wherein one of said mating ends is composed of elastically deformable material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The extendable guidewire system of claim 11 wherein said connecting means includes a tubular member on the mating end of one of the guidewire sections, said tubular member having an open end, and a male member on the mating end of the other guidewire section. .Iaddend.

Claim 14

.Iadd.15. The extendable guidewire system of claim 14 wherein said male member is adapted to be inserted into said open end of said tubular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. The extendable guidewire system of claim 14 wherein said tubular member and said male member are releasably secured at their mating ends by frictional engagement. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section, said connecting means including a tubular member on the mating end of one of the guidewire sections, said tubular member having an open end, and a male member on the mating end of the other guidewire section adapted for slidable insertion into said tubular member; and d. said connecting means having a maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of said tubular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end formed by a tubular member adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of said tubular member.

Claim 15

.Iaddend. .Iadd.19. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of said tubular member.

Claim 16

.Iaddend. .Iadd.19. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of said tubular member.

Claim 17

.Iaddend. .Iadd.20. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end formed by a tubular member adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. at least a portion of said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, prior to connection, greater than the inside diameter of said tubular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. at least a portion of said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, prior to connection, greater than the inside diameter of said

Claim 18

.Iaddend. .Iadd.20. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end formed by a tubular member adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. at least a portion of said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, prior to connection, greater than the inside diameter of said tubular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. at least a portion of said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, prior to connection, greater than the inside diameter of said

Claim 19

tubular member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The extendable guidewire system of claim 21 wherein one of said mating ends has a diametrical dimension larger than the inner diametrical dimension of the other said mating end so that upon insertion of one mating end into the other mating end the corresponding guidewire sections are releasably secured together. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; and c. connecting means for repetitive connections between said main guidewire section and said extension section by non-permanent deformation of either of said mating ends whereby said mating end of said extension wire section changes length along its longitudinal axis when connected and disconnected to said main guidewire section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. connecting means for repetitive connections between said guidewire section and said extension section by the non-permanent deformation of either of said mating ends; and d. means responsive to relative longitudinal movement of said connecting means for yieldably reducing the overall diameter of said mating end of

Claim 20

said extension section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. The extendable guidewire system of claim 24 wherein one of said mating ends is made of elastically deformable material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. resilient, selectably releasable connecting means for repetitive connections between said main guidewire section and said extension section by the non-permanent deformation of either of said mating ends whereby said extension wire section and said main guidewire section can be repetitively connected and disconnected. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. The extendable guidewire system of claim 26 wherein one of said mating ends is

Claim 21

made of elastically deformable material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. connecting means for repetitive connections between said main guidewire section and said extension section by non-permanent deformation of either of said mating ends; and d. resilient spring means provided by one of said mating ends for imparting a retaining force to said other mating end after said mating ends are releasably connected. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. one of said mating ends adapted to receive the other mating end to provide a detachable connection; and d. resilient spring means within said connection for retaining said mating ends in detachable engagement. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A method of using an extendable guidewire system in a vascular procedure, said guidewire system having a main guidewire section with a mating end, a guidewire extension section with a mating end, and a connection therebetween suitable for repetitive connections comprising a tubular member having an open end on one of said mating ends of the guidewire sections, a male member on the mating end of the other section which is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the tubular member and means to releasably secure the interconnected ends together, the method comprising the steps of: a. percutaneously introducing a main guidewire section into the vascular system of a patient with the mating end thereof extending outside the body of the patient; b. advancing a first catheter over the main guidewire section within the vascular system; c. releasably securing the mating end of the extension guidewire section to the mating end of the main guidewire section by manually inserting the male member on one of the guidewire sections into the tubular member on the other guidewire section so that the interconnected ends are releasably secured together by a spring force between said male member and the inner surface of said tubular member; d. withdrawing the first catheter from the vascular system of the patient over the two interconnected guidewire sections; e. introducing a second catheter into the patient's vascular system over the two interconnected guidewire sections; and f. disengaging the extension guidewire section from the main guidewire section by manually pulling the two guidewire sections apart with the main guidewire section remaining in place in the vascular system of the

Claim 22

made of elastically deformable material. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. connecting means for repetitive connections between said main guidewire section and said extension section by non-permanent deformation of either of said mating ends; and d. resilient spring means provided by one of said mating ends for imparting a retaining force to said other mating end after said mating ends are releasably connected. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension section having a mating end; c. one of said mating ends adapted to receive the other mating end to provide a detachable connection; and d. resilient spring means within said connection for retaining said mating ends in detachable engagement. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A method of using an extendable guidewire system in a vascular procedure, said guidewire system having a main guidewire section with a mating end, a guidewire extension section with a mating end, and a connection therebetween suitable for repetitive connections comprising a tubular member having an open end on one of said mating ends of the guidewire sections, a male member on the mating end of the other section which is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the tubular member and means to releasably secure the interconnected ends together, the method comprising the steps of: a. percutaneously introducing a main guidewire section into the vascular system of a patient with the mating end thereof extending outside the body of the patient; b. advancing a first catheter over the main guidewire section within the vascular system; c. releasably securing the mating end of the extension guidewire section to the mating end of the main guidewire section by manually inserting the male member on one of the guidewire sections into the tubular member on the other guidewire section so that the interconnected ends are releasably secured together by a spring force between said male member and the inner surface of said tubular member; d. withdrawing the first catheter from the vascular system of the patient over the two interconnected guidewire sections; e. introducing a second catheter into the patient's vascular system over the two interconnected guidewire sections; and f. disengaging the extension guidewire section from the main guidewire section by manually pulling the two guidewire sections apart with the main guidewire section remaining in place in the vascular system of the

Claim 23

patient. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of either of said guidewire extension section or main guidewire section. .Iaddend.

Claim 24

patient. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. An extendable guidewire system for multiple catheter exchanges, comprising: a. a main guidewire section adapted to be inserted into a patient's vascular system, said guidewire section having a mating end adapted to extend out of the patient; b. a guidewire extension having a mating end formed by a tubular member; c. connecting means for detachably joining said mating end of said main guidewire section to said mating end of said guidewire extension section; and d. said connecting means having an overall maximum diameter, after connection, no greater than the maximum diameter of either of said guidewire extension section or main guidewire section. .Iaddend.