Modular medical guide wire assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018193608-A1
Application number	US-201815868423-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 11, 2018
Priority date	Jan 15, 2016
Publication date	Jul 12, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A guide wire assembly for medical use includes at least a portion which is formed of a plurality of inter-cooperating elements forming a flexible section of the guide wire assembly, and specifically a section that can have varying flexibility. A control device passes through a lumen extending for the whole length of the guide wire and is typically fixed at a distal end of the assembly. The control device is used to change the flexibility of the guidewire assembly and in some embodiments to lock it in position. The elements have tapering internal lumens for accommodating the control device, particularly when the guide wire is bent.

First claim

1 . A medical guide wire of elongate form comprising,
a longitudinal dimension, a distal end and a proximal end; at least a portion of the guide wire being formed of a plurality of inter-cooperating elements disposed longitudinally in series, the inter-cooperating elements having cooperating facing surfaces able to slide relative to one another so as to cause the guide wire to be bendable in at least one lateral dimension; each inter-cooperating element having a bore extending from a first end to a second end thereof, the bore having a taper from the first end to the second end; and a control device extending through the bores of the inter-cooperating elements; the control device having at least one operating state enabling the inter-cooperating elements to slide relative to one another.

2 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the control device has a first operating state in which the inter-cooperating elements can slide relative to one another and in which the guide wire is relatively flexible, and a second operating state limiting sliding of the inter-cooperating elements and in which the guide wire is relatively less flexible.

3 . A medical guide wire according to claim 2 , wherein the control device has an operating state preventing sliding of the inter-cooperating elements and in which the guide wire is stiff.

4 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the cooperating facing surfaces are textured, toothed or friction surfaces.

5 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cooperating facing surfaces is curved.

6 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein both of the cooperating facing surfaces are curved.

7 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the facing cooperating surfaces is rounded.

8 . A medical guide wire according to claim 7 , wherein the cooperating surface or surfaces are part-circular.

9 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein cooperating surfaces are respectively convex and concave.

10 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein each inter-cooperating element includes at the first end a convex surface and at the second end a concave surface.

11 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the inter-cooperating elements include a rounded outer surface at the first end and an inner surface at the second end, the second end being sized to envelop the first end of an adjacent inter-cooperating element.

12 . A medical guide wire according to claim 11 , wherein the first end is radially compressible.

13 . A medical guide wire according to claim 12 , wherein the first end includes at least one longitudinally extending slot allowing the first end to compress radially.

14 . A medical guide wire according to claim 12 , wherein the second end is shaped so as to cause a first end of an element coupled thereto to compress when fitted into or removed from the second end.

15 . A medical guide wire according to claim 12 , wherein the bore extending in the inter-cooperating elements has a smaller diameter at the first end relative to the second end.

16 . A medical guide wire according to claim 15 , wherein the control device has a diameter smaller than the bore when the first end is radially compressed on insertion into or withdrawal form a second end of a coupled inter-cooperating element.

17 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the bore of each or at least one inter-cooperating element has a uniform taper from the first end to the second end.

18 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the bore of each or at least inter-cooperating element has a non-uniform taper from the first end to the second end.

19 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the inter-cooperating elements have tapering bores in the same orientation along the length of the guide wire.

20 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , including inter-cooperating elements of different lengths.

21 . A medical guide wire according to claim 20 , wherein longer inter-cooperating elements are located proximally relative to shorter inter-cooperating elements along at least part of the length of the guide wire.

22 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is a wire or cable connected at the distal end of the guide wire.

23 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is connected to a driving mechanism at the proximal end of the guide wire.

24 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is made of a metal, metal alloy, carbon fibre, a stretchable material or an elastomeric material.

25 . A medical guide wire according to claim 1 , including a covering or sleeve disposed over the inter-cooperating elements.

Assignees

• Cook Medical Technologies Llc

Inventors

• Bödewadt Tue Thuren
• Hansen Palle Munk

Classifications

• A61M25/09033 Primary

  with fixed mandrils, e.g. mandrils fixed to tip; Tensionable wires · CPC title

• A61M2025/0175

  having telescopic features, interengaging nestable members movable in relations to one another · CPC title

• A61M2025/09075

  having a core without a coil possibly combined with a sheath · CPC title

• A61M25/09041

  Mechanisms for insertion of guide wires · CPC title

• A61M2025/0915

  having features for changing the stiffness · CPC title